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Descent vs Sinking - What's the difference?

descent | sinking |

As nouns the difference between descent and sinking

is that descent is an instance of descending while sinking is the act or process of sinking.

As a verb sinking is

.

descent

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An instance of descending
    • We climbed the mountain with difficulty, but the descent was easier.
  • * 2012 , July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track
    • The next one surrendered his bike, only for that, too, to give him a second flat as he started the descent .
  • A way down.
    • We had difficulty in finding the correct descent .
  • A sloping passage or incline.
    • The descent into the cavern was wet and slippery.
  • Lineage or hereditary derivation
    • Our guide was of Welsh descent .
  • A drop to a lower status or condition.
    • After that, the holiday went into a steep descent .

    Usage notes

    * Sometimes confused with (decent).

    Related terms

    * descend

    Antonyms

    * (going down) ascent

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    *

    sinking

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Derived terms

    * like rats from a sinking ship

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act or process of sinking.
    • I witnessed the sinking of my ship from the shore.
  • * 1857 , Pamphlets on Biology: Kofoid collection
    • We must endeavour to realize a succession of gradual sinkings or depressions into deep water, alternating with gradual emergings into shallows, and eventually a gradual continued lifting of the whole district