ascend
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /əˈsɛnd/
KK: /əˈsɛnd/
intransitive verb
Definition
To move upward or to a higher position.
Example
The hot air balloon began to ascend into the sky.
Tense Forms
Past: ascended
Past Participle: ascended
Conversation
Did you see how the hot air balloon started to ascend?
Yeah, it looked so beautiful rising into the sky.
I really want to try that someday and ascend above the mountains.
That would be amazing! The view must be incredible from up there.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
rise
climb
mount
Antonyms
descend
fall
drop
transitive verb
Definition
To move up to a higher place or position; to climb or rise.
Example
The bird began to ascend into the sky as the sun rose.
Tense Forms
Past: ascended
Past Participle: ascended
Conversation
Did you hear that she is going to ascend to the position of manager next month?
Yeah, I heard about that! She definitely deserves it.
I think it’s amazing how she ascended through the ranks so quickly.
Root Explanation
Ascend is formed from "ad-" (meaning to, toward) and "scandere" (meaning to climb). The word describes the action of climbing or moving upward toward a higher place.
Memory Tip
Think of moving 'toward' ('ad-') a higher place by 'climbing' ('scandere') — that's what ascend means.
Visually Confused Words
scend
reascend
coascend
accend
transcend
send