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
Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is home to over 1 million Latinos and more than 472,000 are of Puerto Rican descent.
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Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
The comments received huge backlash from Democrats, and many celebrities of Puerto Rican descent.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Tangent The number of eligible voters who are Latino in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania have more than doubled between 2000 and 2022, and more than half are of Puerto Rican descent, according to the Latino Politics & Policy Institute.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
In addition, during his performance ahead of the New York Yankees’ World Series game last night, Fat Joe—a Bronx native of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent—pointedly shout out Puerto Rico.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descent 
Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
The comments received huge backlash from Democrats, and many celebrities of Puerto Rican descent.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Tangent The number of eligible voters who are Latino in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania have more than doubled between 2000 and 2022, and more than half are of Puerto Rican descent, according to the Latino Politics & Policy Institute.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
In addition, during his performance ahead of the New York Yankees’ World Series game last night, Fat Joe—a Bronx native of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent—pointedly shout out Puerto Rico.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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The cart drop came just as Chesterfield — the area's largest county — dropped out of the regional recycling collective altogether.Karri Peifer, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
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It was later clarified that the traditional coin toss took place before the ball drop.Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Depreciation of revenue earning vehicles and lease charges, net increased significantly to $937 million from $501 million in the previous year, due to deterioration in residual values and decreased holding periods.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
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On Saturday, jurors sat through hours of silent footage showing Allen's mental deterioration at Westville.Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Risk mitigation: Investors recognize that climate change and environmental degradation pose long-term risks to the financial system and specific sectors.Christer Holloman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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In addition, there has been some recent degradation of rangeland and pastures, as well as a lack of soil moisture for the establishment of fall-sown crops, including winter wheat, according to the USDA.Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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How did Marvel brass initially react to Agatha’s demise?Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
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Historically, the demise of down-ballot candidates rarely drag down the affiliated party’s presidential candidate, CNN notes.Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Geopolitical events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, have been noted as factors that could impact the company's ability to complete a business combination due to potential adverse effects on financial and business conditions in Europe.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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China demonstrated its pull on the world stage by welcoming a delegation from Saudi Arabia with its first pavilion at the event, as well as its close ties with Russia even as that country is isolated from Western nations and their allies due to its invasion of Ukraine.Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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For the most part, Israel’s response to Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack was confined to the Gaza Strip.Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
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Episodes often feature logistically complex armed attacks, guided from afar by the top brass, played by the likes of Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Kelly, Jennifer Ehle, and Bruce McGill.Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The company’s at-home kits allow customers to exchange a saliva sample for insights into their genome relating to things such as their possible ancestry, health, and food preferences.Bruce Gil, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
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Freeman’s ancestry traces back to the Mormon pioneers who sank roots in Mesa in the late 1870s.Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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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
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Thanks to a new liner and snugger fit, the 4-Quattro Pro was the best downhill performer in our test.Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near descent
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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