ascend

verb

as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
ascended; ascending; ascends
Synonyms of ascendnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move upward
the balloon ascended
b
: to slope upward
The path ascends through the woods.
c
: to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain
an ascending somatosensory pathway
2
a
: to rise from a lower level or degree
ascend to power
b
: to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
c
: to pass from lower to higher musical notes
C – E ascending

transitive verb

1
: to go or move up
ascend a staircase
2
: to succeed to : occupy
ascend the throne
ascendable adjective
or ascendible
ə-ˈsen-də-bəl How to pronounce ascend (audio)

Synonyms of ascend

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Examples of ascend in a Sentence

They watched their balloons slowly ascend into the sky. Divers must not ascend too rapidly to the water's surface. She believed that when she died, her soul would ascend to heaven. Several paths ascend to the top of the mountain. stairs ascending to the attic John Adams ascended to the presidency in 1797. She worked as a clerk before ascending to her current position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, China-watchers expect a new generation of officials to ascend to senior positions as the party looks to replenish top ranks thinned out by the anti-graft effort. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026 In 2002, a snowboarder named Marco Siffredi, who had ascended via another route, tried to descend the Hornbein. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 The two remain royals, but growing speculation hints that once Prince William ascends the throne, that might change. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026 These Wall Street jesters are ascending at a moment when there’s immense interest in the machinations of finance firms and rainmakers. — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ascend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ascendere, from ad- + scandere to climb — more at scan

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascend was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing ascend

Rhymes for ascend

See All Rhymes for ascend

Browse Nearby Words

ASCE
ascend
ascendance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ascend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascend. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ascend

verb
as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
: to go up : climb, rise
ascend a hill
smoke ascends
ascendable adjective
or ascendible
-ˈsen-də-bəl How to pronounce ascend (audio)

Medical Definition

ascend

intransitive verb
as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
: to move upward: as
a
: to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain
nerve fibers that ascend to a nucleus of the brain
ascending and descending tracts
b
: to affect the extremities and especially the lower limbs first and then the central nervous system
ascending paralysis
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