adj
ascendant
uh-SEHNDNT
adj
1
Rising in power, influence, or status; dominant.
"The party's ascendant wing pushed for bolder reforms."
"Her career was clearly in the ascendant after the award."
noun
1
A position of dominance or commanding influence, especially in the phrase "in the ascendant."
"Support for the policy is in the ascendant."
How to Use Ascendant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRising toward dominance or greater influence; often used in the fixed phrase "in the ascendant."
When to use it
Fairly formal; common in political, business, and astrological writing.
Common pairings
in the ascendant
ascendant power
ascendant influence
Word Forms
more ascendant comparative, ascendants plural, most ascendant superlative
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The party's _____ wing pushed for bolder reforms.
Etymology
From Latin ascendens, the present participle of ascendere ("to climb, rise") — the same root as "ascend."