descend

[dɪˈsend]

descend Definition

• 1. move or fall downward
• 2. make a sudden attack on
• 3. originate from a particular ancestor or source

Using descend: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "descend" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The plane began to descend towards the runway.

• Example

  The sun slowly descended behind the mountains.

• Example

  The troops descended upon the enemy camp at dawn.

• Example

  The family is said to descend from royalty.

descend Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for descend

• drop
• fall
• sink
• plunge
• attack
• assault
• raid
• stem
• derive
• emanate

Antonyms for descend

• ascend
• rise
• climb
• mount
• ascendancy
• origin

Idioms Using descend

• a descent into madness

  a gradual or sudden decline into insanity or irrational behavior

  Example

  The character's descent into madness was a central theme of the novel.

• a descent from grace

  a loss of status, prestige, or favor

  Example

  The politician's scandal marked a descent from grace that he was never able to fully recover from.

• a descent of the Holy Spirit

  the Christian belief that the Holy Spirit came down to earth on the day of Pentecost

  Example

  Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

Phrases with descend

• descend into chaos

  to become disordered, confused, or chaotic

  Example

  The situation quickly descended into chaos as more people joined the argument.

• descend from the clouds

  to come down to earth from a state of being unrealistic or idealistic

  Example

  It's time to descend from the clouds and start thinking about the practical aspects of this project.

• descend on/upon someone

  to arrive suddenly and in large numbers

  Example

  The reporters descended on the celebrity as soon as she arrived at the airport.

Origins of descend

from Latin 'descendere', from 'de-' (down) + 'scandere' (to climb)

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Summary: descend in Brief

'Descend' [dɪˈsend] means to move or fall downward, make a sudden attack on, or originate from a particular ancestor or source. It can refer to physical movement, as in 'The plane began to descend towards the runway,' or to abstract concepts, as in 'The family is said to descend from royalty.' The phrase 'descend into chaos' implies a loss of order or control, while 'a descent into madness' suggests a decline into irrational behavior.