as·cen·dant
ə-ˈsen-dənt 
variants
or less commonly ascendent
1
: the point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern horizon at any moment
2
: a state or position of dominant power or importance
3
: a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending line
variants
or less commonly ascendent
ascendantly
adverb
Examples of ascendant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
As the beauty landscape shape shifts around the world — Amazon ascendant, China decelerating, TikTok dominating and new consumers emerging — the beauty jobs market is evolving accordingly.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024
Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
In President-elect Trump, these ascendant insurgents across the pond see a key ally, someone who shares their mix of authoritarianism, populism and extreme hostility to immigration.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ascendant 
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Noun
The contest that pits Israel’s security establishment against the ascendant far right and its settler allies is not over whether Israel should use force in Gaza, stop occupying the West Bank, or make concessions to help find a solution to the decades-old conflict.
—Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
As the beauty landscape shape shifts around the world — Amazon ascendant, China decelerating, TikTok dominating and new consumers emerging — the beauty jobs market is evolving accordingly.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 20 Sep. 2024
Adjective
One is how that battle for the party’s 2028 leadership ultimately plays out, and which wing is ascendant.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
In President-elect Trump, these ascendant insurgents across the pond see a key ally, someone who shares their mix of authoritarianism, populism and extreme hostility to immigration.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ascendant
Dictionary Entries Near ascendant
Cite this Entry
“Ascendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascendant. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascendant
1 of 2 noun
as·cen·dant
ə-ˈsen-dənt
: a state or position of commanding power
ascendant
2 of 2 adjective1
: moving up : rising
2
a
: in a superior position
b
: inclined to control
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