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descend

verb
de·​scend | \ di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio) , dÄ“-\
descended; descending; descends

Definition of descend

intransitive verb

1 : to pass from a higher place or level to a lower one descended from the platform
2 : to pass in discussion from what is logically prior or more comprehensive descends from the general to the specific
3a : to originate or come from an ancestral stock or source : derive descends from an old merchant family
b : to pass by inheritance a desk that has descended in the family
c : to pass by transmission songs descended from old ballads
4a : to incline, lead, or extend downward the road descends to the river
b physiology : to conduct nerve impulses away from the brain … lesions that interrupt the descending pathways from the cortex or brain stem produce weakness in voluntary movements …— Claude Ghez and John Krakauer
5a : to swoop or pounce down (as in a sudden attack) a hawk descending upon its prey
b : to appear suddenly and often disconcertingly as if from above reporters descended on the candidate
6 : to proceed in a sequence or gradation from higher to lower or from more remote to nearer or more recent Their scores were listed in descending order.
7a : to lower oneself in status or dignity : stoop
b : to worsen and sink in condition or estimation He descended into a deep depression. descended to poverty descend into chaos
c : to pass from higher to lower musical notes The harmony descends chromatically.

transitive verb

1 : to pass, move, or climb down or down along descending the staircase
2 : to extend down along a narrow scar descended her arm
Other Words from descend Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about descend

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Other Words from descend

descendible \ di-​ˈsen-​dÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce descendible (audio) , dÄ“-​ \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for descend

Synonyms

decline, dip, drop, fall, plunge, sink

Antonyms

arise, ascend, climb, mount, rise, uprise, upsweep, upturn

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Examples of descend in a Sentence

Wait for the elevator to descend. The workers descended into the hole. A herd of goats descended into the valley. The airplane will descend to a lower altitude soon. Descending the mountain was even more dangerous than climbing it. The children descended the staircase silently. The path descends to the river. The stairs descended into the tunnel.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 As two clans descend on the scene of young twins’ birthday, Greg Focker’s moonlighting at a pharmaceutical company threatens to derail his position of trust with Jack, his uptight father-in-law. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 The event was halted in 2001 as the country descended into conflict and rebels seized control of the eastern suburbs of Damascus, near the fairgrounds. — Washington Post, "US warns businesses against taking part in Damascus fair," 30 Aug. 2019 As flash mobs descended, a massive billboard—paid for by a GoFundMe—projected #SaveTheOA throughout the main hub of Midtown. — Wired, "Netflix Can Kill The OA, But It Can't Kill a Movement," 28 Aug. 2019 As Venezuela has descended into economic and political turmoil, Exxon and others have turned to Guyana for new exploration. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "New Guyana discovery shows success apart from Exxon Mobil," 12 Aug. 2019 Hundreds of passengers were left stranded after all departing flights and more than 70 arriving flights were canceled in the early evening, amid chaotic scenes inside the airport as thousands of demonstrators descended on the main terminal. — James Griffiths, CNN, "Thousands of protesters shut down Hong Kong airport as Beijing condemns 'terrorism'," 12 Aug. 2019 The frats would pay me $50 a night to spin WSLN’s vinyl as the kids descended into their cups. — Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "A motorcycle has now become the sum of our fears: Phillip Morris," 11 Aug. 2019 As the cab slowly descends around the fourth floor, the counterweights shoot up past it along the walls. — William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, "The up-and-down life of an Alabama elevator inspector," 10 Aug. 2019 As the movers and shakers descend upon Los Angeles for Pac-12 Media Day on Wednesday, the whole pillow-fights narrative isn’t just getting a makeover for 2019. — Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, "Will the Broncos’ record improve in 2019? SI’s Conor Orr says no, it’ll be worse.," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'descend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of descend

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3b

History and Etymology for descend

Middle English, from Anglo-French descendre, from Latin descendere, from de- + scandere to climb — more at scan

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More Definitions for descend

descend

verb
How to pronounce descend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of descend

formal
: to go down : to go or move from a higher to a lower place or level
: to slope or lead downward
: to go or change to a worse state or condition

See the full definition for descend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

descend

verb
de·​scend | \ di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio) \
descended; descending

Kids Definition of descend

1 : to come or go down from a higher place or level to a lower one

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