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ascend

verb
as·​cend | \ ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio) \
ascended; ascending; ascends

Definition of ascend

intransitive verb

1a : to move upward the balloon ascended
b : to slope upward The path ascends through the woods.
c : to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain an ascending somatosensory pathway
2a : to rise from a lower level or degree ascend to power
b : to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
c : to pass from lower to higher musical notes C – E ascending

transitive verb

1 : to go or move up ascend a staircase
2 : to succeed to : occupy ascend the throne
Other Words from ascend Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ascend

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Other Words from ascend

ascendable or ascendible \ -​ˈsen-​də-​bəl How to pronounce ascendible (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for ascend

ascend, mount, and climb mean to move upward or toward the top. ascend is used for a gradual upward movement. We slowly ascended the staircase. mount is used for reaching the very top of something. Soldiers mounted the hill and placed a flag there. climb is used when effort and often the hands and feet are needed to move up something. Explorers climbed the rugged mountain.

Examples of ascend in a Sentence

They watched their balloons slowly ascend into the sky. Divers must not ascend too rapidly to the water's surface. She believed that when she died, her soul would ascend to heaven. Several paths ascend to the top of the mountain. stairs ascending to the attic John Adams ascended to the presidency in 1797. She worked as a clerk before ascending to her current position.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Wander through grassy meadows and over rocky outcrops to waterfalls, ascend through a forest of balsam firs to the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi or tackle the Appalachian Trail. — Amy Tara Koch, Dallas News, "These four mountain getaways are worth a peak," 13 Aug. 2019 Every star in the NBA ascends on his own terms, yet most make the journey in a familiar arc. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "Team USA Offers De’Aaron Fox a Path to Stardom," 8 Aug. 2019 Through hard work, physical prowess, and mental fortitude, Williams has ascended to the top of his craft, becoming an NBA first-round pick of the Celtics. — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, "Celtics first-round pick Grant Williams, a true student of life and basketball," 3 Aug. 2019 Over the ensuing years, his stature was steadily ascending. — Fox News, "Hamza bin Laden 'Al Qaeda's most charismatic figure', death would be 'big brand hit for extremists'," 2 Aug. 2019 This largest of the hills ascends straight behind the Colosseum. — Washington Post, "Rome’s seven hills offer seven green respites from summer’s crowds," 12 July 2019 From an Italian marble driveway, a glass elevator ascends to a rooftop garden that doubles as an auto gallery with panoramic views of the city and ocean. — Jack Flemming, latimes.com, "Home of the Week: In Brentwood, a curvaceous hillside compound," 6 July 2019 The two-lane busway ascends in the center of Loop 610, curls over the southbound lanes and then along an elevated road before tying into North Post Oak near the transit center. — Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, "Southbound Loop 610 lanes near Uptown to close for busway work," 23 June 2019 But the idea is that there's a tribe of cats, called Jellicles, that once a year hold a ball to decide which cat will ascend and receive new life. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About the 'Cats' Movie," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ascend.' 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 ascend

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for ascend

Middle English, from Latin ascendere, from ad- + scandere to climb — more at scan

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More Definitions for ascend

ascend

verb
How to pronounce ascend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ascend

formal : to go up : to rise or move toward the sky
: to slope or lead upward
: to rise to a higher or more powerful position in a government, company, etc.

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

ascend

verb
as·​cend | \ ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio) \
ascended; ascending

Kids Definition of ascend

1 : to go or move up We ascended the hill.
2 : to rise to a higher or more powerful position Abraham Lincoln ascended to the presidency in 1861.

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