ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce ascendancy (audio)
variants or less commonly ascendency
: governing or controlling influence : domination

Did you know?

In the course of a year, the sun appears to pass through the twelve constellations of the zodiac in sequence, and all the planets also lie close to the solar path. The constellation and planet that are just rising, or ascendant, above the eastern horizon in the sun's path at the moment of a child's birth are said by astrologers to exercise a lifelong controlling influence over the child. This is the idea that lies at the heart of ascendancy, though the word today no longer hints at supernatural powers.

Examples of ascendancy in a Sentence

the ascendancy of the government a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after World War I
Recent Examples on the Web Last year’s team entered the postseason on the ascendancy. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 The accelerated ascendancy of artificial intelligence has created a booming new tech sector offering plentiful opportunities for growth. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Russia appears to be on the ascendancy, having secured the latest major battlefield victory, but Ukrainian fighters have exceeded military expectations with their doggedness in the past, and may do so again. Tara Sonenshine, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024 Thus, Iranian rulers’ foremost strategic goal: The U.S. must be ejected from the Middle East, and Israel destroyed, to ensure Iranian ascendancy. Seth Cropsey, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024 Ice Spice, Jack Harlow, and Lil Nas X, for instance, owe their ascendancy to social media. John Seabrook, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024 The social media space has become fragmented with the ascendancy of alternatives including Substack, Telegram, Threads and Rumble as viable spaces for political actors and extreme content. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2024 In chronicles of Gaozu’s rule such as Sima Qian’s, the dragon became inseparable from imperial authority and ascendancy. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 The sports ascendancy hasn’t been without speed bumps. Brett Knight, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ascendancy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascendancy was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near ascendancy

Cite this Entry

“Ascendancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascendancy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ascendancy

noun
as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən-sē How to pronounce ascendancy (audio)
: controlling influence

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