descending
Moving toward ground
Descending means moving downward or arranged from higher to lower.
A plane descending approaches the ground.
Numbers in descending order go from largest to smallest: 10, 9, 8... .
Descending can also indicate lineage moving forward through generations: She was descended from royalty.
The opposite of ascending.
Controlled rope descent
- abseilControlled rope descent
- glissadeControlled downhill slide
- parachuteDrag-creating descent device
- skydiveAerial freefall activity
bungee · zipline · lowering · plunging · diving · sinking · falling · dropping
Process of declining quality
- worseningBecoming more severe
- downfallSudden loss of power
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
slump · recession · downturn · ebb · atrophy · diminishment · weakening · collapse
Angled terrain or steepness
- inclineAngled rising surface
- declivityDownward-sloping ground
- downgradeReduce in status
- pitchFrequency of sound
grade · steepness · drop · downhill · ramp · bank · tilt · slant
Arrangement by position
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- echelonsLevels within a hierarchy
top-down · seniority · cascade · tiered · subordination · organizational · lineage · succession
Becoming smaller or fewer
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- reverse orderSequence going backward
- rankingOrdered position assignment
sorting · sequential · graduated · incremental · regressive · indexed · tallying · listing
Treating someone as inferior
- disdainScornful disregard
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
sneer · scorn · contempt · belittlement · arrogance · smugness · derision · snobbery
Remove unnecessary elements
- underwaterBelow the surface
- sinkingFalling through water
- submergingPutting fully underwater
- depthDistance below surface
rappel
Controlled rope descent
skydive · bungee · zipline · lowering · plunging · diving · sinking · falling · dropping · plummeting
deterioration
Process of declining quality
degeneration · slump · recession · downturn · ebb · atrophy · diminishment · weakening · collapse · depreciation
slope
Angled terrain or steepness
pitch · grade · steepness · drop · downhill · ramp · bank · tilt · slant · angle
rank order
Arrangement by position
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
echelons · top-down · seniority · cascade · tiered · subordination · organizational · lineage · succession · priority
decreasing
Becoming smaller or fewer
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- reverse orderSequence going backward
ranking · sorting · sequential · graduated · incremental · regressive · indexed · tallying · listing
patronizing
Treating someone as inferior
- disdainScornful disregard
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
dismissive · sneer · scorn · contempt · belittlement · arrogance · smugness · derision · snobbery · disparagement
streamline
Remove unnecessary elements
- underwaterBelow the surface
- sinkingFalling through water
- submergingPutting fully underwater
scale
Measure of relative size
interval · stepwise · melodic · bassline · octave · progression · sequence · run · passage · phrase
descendingascending
Moving upward
increasing · rising · ascending order · growing · climbing
- descending orderArrangement from greatest downward
- descending colonBowel segment traveling downward