ascendant

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for ascendant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Rising in power, influence, or status; dominant.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

root

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

ancestor

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

ascendent antecedent dominating ascensive

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Rising in power, influence, or status; dominant.

“The party's ascendant wing pushed for bolder reforms.”

root ancestor ascendent antecedent dominating ascensive

Opposites

subordinate descending

2. noun

A position of dominance or commanding influence, especially in the phrase "in the ascendant."

“Support for the policy is in the ascendant.”

root antecedent ancestor ascendent

How to use ascendant

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

in the ascendant ascendant power ascendant influence

Fairly formal; common in political, business, and astrological writing.

Etymology

From Latin ascendens, the present participle of ascendere ("to climb, rise") — the same root as "ascend."

Full origin of ascendant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ascendant” mean?

The word “ascendant” means rising in power, influence, or status; dominant. In plain terms, rising toward dominance or greater influence; often used in the fixed phrase "in the ascendant.".

How do you pronounce “ascendant”?

“Ascendant” is pronounced uh-SEHNDNT (/əˈsɛndənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “ascendant” in a sentence?

Here is “ascendant” used in a sentence: “The party's ascendant wing pushed for bolder reforms.”

What part of speech is “ascendant”?

Depending on how it is used, “ascendant” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “ascendant” come from?

The word “ascendant” comes from Latin. From Latin ascendens, the present participle of ascendere ("to climb, rise") — the same root as "ascend.".

How many meanings does “ascendant” have?

“Ascendant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rising in power, influence, or status; dominant.

Related words

ascend ascender ascending ascent

People also searched

root descending ancestor subordinate antecedent ascendent

Nearby words

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