ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 
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
Wielding the language of liberal internationalism to justify ruinous intervention abroad has long been the modus operandi of the neoconservatives, who, since the ascendancy of Trump over the Republican Party, have gravitated back to their original home among the Democrats.
—
Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, his ascendancy has been driven in large part by the fact that a large number of workers in America have more faith in Trump than in the Democratic Party.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
It’s been a year of lyrical combat, truth-telling, black media ascendancy, and celebrities getting their comeupance.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Her campaign has been framed in a progressive light, giving the Academy the chance to protest the ascendancy of anti-trans sentiment under the new Trump administration.
—Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, his ascendancy has been driven in large part by the fact that a large number of workers in America have more faith in Trump than in the Democratic Party.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
It’s been a year of lyrical combat, truth-telling, black media ascendancy, and celebrities getting their comeupance.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Her campaign has been framed in a progressive light, giving the Academy the chance to protest the ascendancy of anti-trans sentiment under the new Trump administration.
—Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
Cite this Entry
“Ascendancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascendancy. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən-sē
: controlling influence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share