Meaning: Movement downwards:
* The hikers began their descent down the steep mountainside.
* The hot air balloon made a gentle descent towards the landing field.
Meaning: Lineage or ancestry:
* She was proud of her descent from a long line of artists.
* The study revealed the patient's descent from a rare genetic mutation.
Meaning: Decline or deterioration:
* The company experienced a rapid descent into bankruptcy after the CEO's resignation.
* The once-thriving town was in a state of descent, with empty storefronts and dwindling population.
Meaning: Social or moral decline:
* The novel explored the descent of a once-respected doctor into addiction.
* The country witnessed a gradual descent into chaos and anarchy.