ascent
noun
as·cent ə-ˈsent 
a-
1
a
: the act of rising or mounting upward : climb
completed their ascent of the mountain
b
: an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity
followed the steep ascent to the top of the hill
c
: the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient
2
: an advance in social status or reputation : progress
their ascent from the lower class to the middle class
3
: a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession
Synonyms
- ascension
- climb
- rise
- rising
- soar
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill. our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them
Recent Examples on the Web Several countries have conducted direct-ascent destructive ASAT tests, including the United States, Russia, China, and India. 
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2022 The kind of direct-ascent weapon that the Biden administration is committing not to fire relies on interceptor missiles that travel from the Earth's surface to strike a satellite target hundreds of miles into space. CBS News, 19 Apr. 2022 Russia's direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test created a field of debris that threatened the International Space Station. Justin Gomez, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2022 Russia destroyed one of its own satellites last November in a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test which has been condemned by US President Joe Biden's administration as dangerous and irresponsible. Kristin Fisher, CNN, 21 Jan. 2022 Russia successfully conducted a test in which a direct-ascent missile destroyed a nearly 40-year-old defunct Soviet spy satellite, U.S. Space Command announced Monday. Rebekah Koffler, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2021 Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles can reach low Earth orbit in minutes. Rachel Riederer, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021 His new songs on the novelties of his recent ascent are sweet and smooth confessionals that make for easy-listening Afropop. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2022 On the first day of his long ascent to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Dr. Kevin Foster was surrounded by a tangle of green. AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2022 The kind of direct-ascent weapon that the Biden administration is committing not to fire relies on interceptor missiles that travel from the Earth's surface to strike a satellite target hundreds of miles into space. CBS News, 19 Apr. 2022 Russia's direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test created a field of debris that threatened the International Space Station. Justin Gomez, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2022 Russia destroyed one of its own satellites last November in a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test which has been condemned by US President Joe Biden's administration as dangerous and irresponsible. Kristin Fisher, CNN, 21 Jan. 2022 Russia successfully conducted a test in which a direct-ascent missile destroyed a nearly 40-year-old defunct Soviet spy satellite, U.S. Space Command announced Monday. Rebekah Koffler, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2021 Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles can reach low Earth orbit in minutes. Rachel Riederer, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021 His new songs on the novelties of his recent ascent are sweet and smooth confessionals that make for easy-listening Afropop. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2022 On the first day of his long ascent to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Dr. Kevin Foster was surrounded by a tangle of green. AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
irregular from ascend
First Known Use
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
ascent
noun
as·cent ə-ˈsent
1
: the act of rising or climbing upward
The hikers began their ascent of the mountain.
2
: the act of rising to a higher or more powerful position
3
: an upward slope or path
ascent
noun
1
as in climb
the act or an instance of rising or climbing up our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- climb
- ascension
- rising
- rise
- takeoff
- hike
- soar
- elevation
- increase
- raise
- liftoff
- hoist
- thrust
- levitation
- upsurge
- boost
- blastoff
- raising
- upturn
- upheaval
- upswing
- uplifting
- heave
- upthrust
- uptrend
- upwelling
- upraising
- upsweep
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- descent
- fall
- drop
- dip
- dive
- plunge
- decrease
- sinking
- decline
- nosedive
- down
- plummeting
- downfall
- plop
- downgrade
- comedown
2
as in hill
an upward slope we'd reached the final ascent of the trail to the summit Synonyms & Similar Words
- hill
- climb
- incline
- uphill
- inclination
- acclivity
- rise
- gradient
- uprise
- ridge
- upgrade
- pitch
- lean
- tilt
- diagonal
- rake
- glacis
- grade
- swell
- mound
- cant
- hump
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- descent
- decline
- fall
- downhill
- dip
- declivity
- declension
- hanging
- downgrade
- basin
- depression
- drop-off
- hang
- hollow
3
as in promotion
a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position his long, gradual ascent into the ranks of management Synonyms & Similar Words
- promotion
- rise
- advancement
- elevation
- creation
- upgrading
- preferment
- upgrade
- exaltation
- aggrandizement
- preference
- glorification
- magnification
- ennoblement
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- degradation
- reduction
- abasement
- removal
- overthrow
- expulsion
- deposition
- comedown
- demotion
- dismissal
- suspension
- ouster
- impeachment
- discharge
- downgrade
- downfall
- fall
- dethronement
- disrating
- unmaking
- unseating