ascend

[ uh-send ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move, climb, or go upward; mount; rise:

   The airplane ascended into the clouds.

   Synonyms: soar

   Antonyms: descend

2. to slant upward.
3. to rise to a higher point, rank, or degree; proceed from an inferior to a superior degree or level:

   to ascend to the presidency.

4. to go toward the source or beginning; go back in time.
5. Music. to rise in pitch; pass from any tone to a higher one.

verb (used with object)

1. to go or move upward upon or along; climb; mount:

   to ascend a lookout tower;

   to ascend stairs.

   Antonyms: descend

2. to gain or succeed to; acquire:

   to ascend the throne.

ascend

/ əˈsɛnd /

verb

1. to go or move up (a ladder, hill, slope, etc); mount; climb
2. intr to slope or incline upwards
3. intr to rise to a higher point, level, degree, etc
4. to follow (a river) upstream towards its source
5. to trace (a genealogy, etc) back in time
6. to sing or play (a scale, arpeggio, etc) from the lower to higher notes
7. ascend the throne
   to become king or queen

Other Words From

• as·cenda·ble as·cendi·ble adjective
• reas·cend verb
• unas·cenda·ble adjective
• unas·cended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ascenden, from Anglo-French ascendre, from Latin ascendere “to climb up,” from a- a- ⁵ + -scendere, combining form of scandere “to climb”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascend¹

C14: from Latin ascendere, from scandere

Synonym Study

See climb.

Example Sentences

So there’s reason to be skeptical about how far Newsom could ascend, Madrid said, should he choose to run for president.

From Los Angeles Times

"To have one of our fellow Howardites to ascend to this level, and also to be a woman… it’s overwhelming." she added.

From BBC

His Czech climbing partner Marek Holecek said the pair were returning to base after becoming the first mountaineers to ascend Lantang Lirung via a “terrifying” eastern route.

From BBC

He’d been a Fox News devotee for years at this point, but there was a palpable shift in his demeanor watching this failed businessman ascend to power.

From Slate

And, while Mexican-born players continue to ascend to the major leagues, none has approached Valenzuela’s level of achievement or fame.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• climb
• escalate
• move up
• soar
• take off