descent
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for descent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of coming down from a higher place, or a downward slope or path.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use descent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French descente, tied to descendre, "to descend" — built from the same root as "ascent" and "ascend", just heading the other direction.
Full origin of descent →Frequently asked questions
What does “descent” mean?
The word “descent” means the act of coming down from a higher place, or a downward slope or path. In plain terms, going downward — whether that's a plane landing, a path down a hill, where your family comes from, or a slide into a worse situation.
How do you pronounce “descent”?
“Descent” is pronounced dih-SEHNT (/dəˈsɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “descent” in a sentence?
Here is “descent” used in a sentence: “The plane began its descent into Manchester.”
What is the opposite of “descent”?
The opposite of “descent” — its antonyms — is ascent.
What part of speech is “descent”?
“Descent” is a noun.
Where does the word “descent” come from?
The word “descent” comes from Old French. From Old French descente, tied to descendre, "to descend" — built from the same root as "ascent" and "ascend", just heading the other direction.
Is “descent” a common word?
“Descent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “descent” have?
“Descent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of coming down from a higher place, or a downward slope or path.
What is the difference between 'descent' and 'decent'?
These are often confused because they look similar. "Descent" is a noun meaning a downward movement, a slope, or a person's ancestry. "Decent" is an adjective meaning respectable, adequate, or kind. They are unrelated in meaning.
What is the difference between 'descent' and 'dissent'?
"Descent" means coming down from a higher place, a downward slope, or a line of ancestry. "Dissent" means disagreement or the holding of an opposing opinion. Despite sounding similar, they have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between descent and ascent?
Descent is the act of coming down from a higher place or a downward slope, while ascent is the act of going up or an upward climb. They are opposites, most often used when talking about climbing, aircraft, or paths.