as in bowing
bending downward or forward
with descending heads the mourners made their way to the burial site
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1
as in falling
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
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2
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
the order of the classroom descended into chaos when the teacher left the room
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3
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
leaves slowly descended from the branches in the gentle autumn wind wait for the elevator to descend
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4
as in dismounting
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of descending
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
One is climbing, struggling with every step; the other, who is descending, moves freely and proudly.
—Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Like a rock skipping across a pond, the spacecraft dips in and out of Earth’s atmosphere, slowing itself with drag and then rising with lift, until finally descending with parachutes for the splashdown.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
In the photos, Grubbs is seen in leisurewear descending the steps to the house and standing in the street.
—Alexandria Burris, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024
The top industry honor is bestowed by the National Association of Theatre Owners, host of the annual show in Las Vegas where Hollywood studios parade their upcoming slate before thousands of exhibitors descending upon The Strip.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024
The congressman quickly received backlash for the remarks, with protesters descending on his Salem, Massachusetts, office in a show of support for the LGBT community.
—Kristina Watrobski, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024
Footage from a nearby security camera shows the plane descending, before dipping out of view behind a building.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
With darkness descending at what feels like midafternoon, late fall is the perfect time to crack open a book that will send shivers down your spine.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
Fuchs put a prankish spin on the descending octaves that tootle above the reprise of the symphony’s solemn opening.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for descending
Verb
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Digitalization Is Not Really Optional Anymore With rising expectations around sustainability and resource management, sticking with old systems can put any business at risk of falling behind.Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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The nearly 300-mile trek from Atlanta was pivotal in showing the Confederacy was falling apart as Sherman’s troops gutted much of the key slave state.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In February 1966, after a rapidly deteriorating relationship with the NSW government, Utzon left the project.Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
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In a parallel development, Jordan's Interior Minister Mazin al-Faraya announced the closure of the Naseeb border crossing with Syria due to deteriorating security conditions.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Ariana Grande Grande wore a plunging black-and-white tweed minidress over sheer black tights.Hannah Malach, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
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The look featured a plunging neckline and an intricate black pattern.Catherine Santino, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Not only are his satellite states rejecting Kremlin influence, but the Russian economy is crumbling, lurching towards severe stagflation.Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
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The time has come to move upstream—to repair the crumbling bridge of American health rather than relying on the safety nets of downstream solutions.Robert Pearl, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Jeremy Strong forwent a classic suit and tie in favor of a bowed necktie, giving his tailored look the perfect dash of whimsy.Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 June 2024
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Leading stars such as Colman Domingo, Cillian Murphy, and Sterling K. Brown found interesting ways to update the classic tuxedo—whether by adding brooches, a glitzy shoe, or in Murphy's case, a chic little bowed necktie.Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
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Rejecting advice from just about every analyst and economist, China's leader has decided to export his way out of his country's worsening economic woes.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Predictive Modeling For Proactive Health Management Predictive models enable the platform to flag patients at risk for hospital readmissions, treatment non-compliance, or worsening chronic conditions.Paul Kovalenko, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Massive helicopters buzzed around Pepperdine University on Tuesday, one dipping down into a lagoon to suck up water before heading for an immense plume of smoke in the distance.Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
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With daily high temperatures barely dipping below 80 degrees, the Valley's weather remains warmer than usual for this time of year, and the chilly season is still beyond sight, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021
Thesaurus Entries Near descending
Cite this Entry
“Descending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descending. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
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