1
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude
the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field
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2
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the family patriarch's heartbreaking descent into infirmity and senility
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3
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
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4
as in demise
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
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5
as in invasion
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town
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6
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields
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7
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
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8
as in downhill
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of descent
According to one 2017 study, U.S. obesity rates are highest in Black and Latino populations and lowest among people of Asian descent, with rates among White Americans landing in the middle.
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Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024
Gabbard is of Samoan descent and Ramaswamy is Indian American.
—Matt Brown, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024
The Cassini-Huygens mission provided humanity’s first glimpse of Titan’s surface in 2005, capturing stunning imagery during its 2.5-hour descent through Titan’s clouds, revealing ancient shorelines and rivers of methane before landing among rounded blocks of ice.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The Big 12 race continued its descent into madness with the two teams that appeared to be in control of the race now heading into the final weekend of the regular season needing help to reach the conference title game.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descent 
Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024
Gabbard is of Samoan descent and Ramaswamy is Indian American.
—Matt Brown, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024
The Cassini-Huygens mission provided humanity’s first glimpse of Titan’s surface in 2005, capturing stunning imagery during its 2.5-hour descent through Titan’s clouds, revealing ancient shorelines and rivers of methane before landing among rounded blocks of ice.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The Big 12 race continued its descent into madness with the two teams that appeared to be in control of the race now heading into the final weekend of the regular season needing help to reach the conference title game.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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The Pinecone Drop is one of Arizona's many variations on the traditional ball drop to ring in the new year; Prescott drops a boot and Yuma used to drop a head of lettuce.Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
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In contrast, options like money market accounts and high-yield online savings accounts have variable rates that can change anytime, allowing potential growth as rates rise but posing the risk of rate drops.Natalie Campisi, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Coined as far back as 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in Walden, the idea of mental deterioration from trivial distractions has never been more relevant.Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Tedeschi credits Park Road with heroic work on the Maysles footage, which was delivered to them in various stages of deterioration.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Our region has been plagued for far too long by foreign interference, wars, sectarian conflicts, terrorism, drug trafficking, water scarcity, refugee crises, and environmental degradation.Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 2 Dec. 2024
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These novel electrolytes are designed to be much less susceptible to degradation, offering a more stable electrolyte-environment interface.Matthew Dawson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Global fear and loathing of Islamism is preventing a genuine wave of celebration over the demise of a butcher.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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Not waiting for predators to leave the area before birthing may also play a role in a newborn fish’s demise.Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, and its upcoming European Union presidency coincides with significant shifts globally.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Vakil says Syria could learn a lesson from the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq that toppled Sadaam Hussein in 2003.Scott Neuman, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The trip to Luxembourg marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, which began Dec. 16, 1944, when German soldiers launched an unexpected attack through Belgium and Luxembourg.Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
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Rod Metzer eventually pleaded guilty to 14 counts relating to the attack on Morgan Metzer.Michael Loftus, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Virgo Check in with your brood or look up your family tree to get details on your ancestry.Lisa Stardust, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
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Chickens Are Miniature Dinosaurs Beyond the anatomical and molecular evidence, chickens exhibit behavioral and neurological traits that echo their prehistoric ancestry, according to a December 2011 article published in Historical Biology.Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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If there’s a dry spell, fat biking is a perfect alternative to downhill skiing and Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association grooms a number of areas around town that are free to access.Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 Dec. 2024
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The central northern Michigan city is a downhill skiing mecca for a reason.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near descent
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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