descend

verb

di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio)
Definition of descendnext
1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward the pathway descends to the river bank

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2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the order of the classroom descended into chaos when the teacher left the room

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3
as in to plunge
to go to a lower level especially abruptly leaves slowly descended from the branches in the gentle autumn wind wait for the elevator to descend

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4
as in to dismount
to come down from something (as a vehicle) the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of descend Bleacherites were bracing for the descending ball as a souvenir when the wind blew the ball back into the field of play, where Billy Williams caught it for the out. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 The Boulet Brothers descend on New York Comic Con to celebrate a decade of horror, filth, and glamour, and open the crypt on the show’s upcoming seventh season. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 When the Dark Ages descended on the ancient world, Benedict of Nursia ignited a monastic revival that would establish thousands of monasteries and train generations of devoted readers. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 Moments after the family left in a vehicle, six police officers ran down the street as a heavy law enforcement presence descended on downtown Las Vegas following reports of gunfire. — Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
  1. fall
  2. deteriorate
  3. plunge
  4. dismount
  5. slope
  6. crumble
  7. dip
  8. disembark
Verb
  • When night falls, another show begins with a dedicated corner of the estate designed for stargazing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Zinc ions enter the electrode first at higher voltages, while much smaller protons are stored later as the voltage falls.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • The Associated Press OSLO, Norway -- Crown Prince Haakon visited his father King Harald of Norway on Monday at the hospital, after the king's health deteriorated over the weekend, public broadcaster NRK reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Now held with dozens of others in a former luxury hotel turned makeshift prison, the group describe chains, deteriorating conditions, scarce medical care and guards accused of violence.
    — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • When Lake Mead last plunged to record-low water levels in 2022, its dramatically receding shoreline revealed all manner of curiosities.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The experiment will test whether a compact nuclear heat source can protect critical spacecraft systems when temperatures plunge.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Governing bodies in neighboring San Ramon, San Anselmo in Marin County, and Burlingame in San Mateo County have adopted similar policies requiring people to dismount e-bikes when traveling through public parks.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage involved in the fatal crash suspended the driver indefinitely and plans to retire the horse, according to union officials, who said the driver improperly dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of dismount
Verb
  • The Weekly Pattern Turning to the weekly chart, RRC has been trading in an upward-sloping channel going back to late 2022.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Most ground is sloped and covered in loose gravel or ankle-twisting stones.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • The fundamental bargain the United States offered has crumbled, and it will not be easily rebuilt.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Also, why put this burden on federal agencies that are experiencing record low staffing shortages in facilities that are crumbling.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • And yet, Lucas and Scott aren’t afraid of occasionally dipping into not just realistic problems, but heavier ones, too.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As the sun dips behind the canyon walls, the desert cools down rapidly, creating another window to head back out for a dusky hike.
    — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • According to the head of Haiti’s migration agency, Jean Négot Bonheur Delva, who met Thursday’s deportation flight at the airport, one of the disembarking passengers had never been to Haiti before.
    — Etant Dupain, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Other ships may arrive at the same time, so areas can be crowded as thousands of passengers disembark.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of disembark

Phrases Containing descend

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descend
descendant
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Cite this Entry

“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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