ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 

variants or less commonly ascendency

: governing or controlling influence : domination

Did you know?

In the course of a year, the sun appears to pass through the twelve constellations of the zodiac in sequence, and all the planets also lie close to the solar path. The constellation and planet that are just rising, or ascendant, above the eastern horizon in the sun's path at the moment of a child's birth are said by astrologers to exercise a lifelong controlling influence over the child. This is the idea that lies at the heart of ascendancy, though the word today no longer hints at supernatural powers.

Synonyms

• ascendance
• ascendence
• dominance
• domination
• dominion
• hegemony
• imperium
• predominance
• predominancy
• preeminence
• reign
• sovereignty
• sovranty
• supremacy

Examples of ascendancy in a Sentence

the ascendancy of the government

a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after World War I

Recent Examples on the Web

Year by year, as devices became smarter and the user experience improved, consumer behavior changed, and mobile gained ascendancy. —Beth Ann Kaminkow, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Russia, for example, maintains close ties with China’s rival India – and is likely eager to prevent any Chinese ascendancy in Asia that deepens the power imbalance between Beijing and Moscow. —Simone McCarthy, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024

The Adoption Of Automation The ascendancy of technology has long been a point of contention between workers and employers since the Industrial Revolution, when mechanized production began replacing manual labor. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Since his political ascendancy, former President Donald Trump has engaged in racist dog-whistling and flagrant bigotry with equal aplomb. —Roxane Gay, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən-sē 

: controlling influence