Ask Difference

Ascendant vs. Descendant — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
"Ascendant" relates to rising, ascending, or dominant position, while "Descendant" refers to someone/something descending, especially an offspring or heir.
Ascendant vs. Descendant — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Ascendant and Descendant

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Key Differences

Ascendant and Descendant are two words that sit on opposite ends of a spectrum when discussing direction or lineage. "Ascendant" often refers to the act of rising, whether it's in terms of physical movement, status, or influence. On the other hand, "Descendant" points to something or someone that is coming down or derives from a particular origin.
In astrology, the Ascendant is the zodiacal sign and degree that were ascending on the eastern horizon at a specific time and location, often at one's birth. It plays a pivotal role in defining one's personality in astrological terms. Conversely, the Descendant, in this context, refers to the sign directly opposite the Ascendant, influencing one's relationships and interactions with others.
From a genealogical perspective, while Ascendant might refer to one's ancestors or forebears, Descendant specifically denotes those who come after – one's offspring or the generations that follow. The latter is especially used when discussing rights, inheritance, or lineage.
In a more general sense, when Ascendant is used to describe a trend, it implies that it's on the rise or gaining traction. Meanwhile, Descendant could be used to illustrate something on the decline or losing prominence.
In essence, while both Ascendant and Descendant connect to direction and lineage, the former largely focuses on upward movement or origin, and the latter emphasizes downward movement or the continuation of a lineage.
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Comparison Chart

Basic Meaning

Relating to rising or ascending.
Relating to descending or someone who comes after.

In Astrology

Sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth.
Sign opposite the Ascendant, affecting relationships.

In Genealogy

Might refer to ancestors.
Refers to offspring or those who come after.

In Trends

Describes something on the rise or gaining prominence.
Describes something on the decline or losing traction.

Antonym

Descendant.
Ascendant.

Compare with Definitions

Ascendant

Rising in power or influence.
The ascendant tech company dominated the market.

Descendant

A person who is descended from a particular ancestor.
She is a descendant of the town's founder.

Ascendant

The point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac rising above the eastern horizon at the time of a birth or event.
Her astrological chart showed Leo as her ascendant.

Descendant

The point of the ecliptic or sign of the zodiac setting in the west at the time of a birth or event.
His descendant sign plays a role in his romantic relationships.

Ascendant

Moving upward; ascending.
The ascendant plane took off smoothly.

Descendant

An heir or successor.
As the eldest, he was the main descendant to the estate.

Ascendant

An ancestor or forebear.
He claimed to be an ascendant of royalty.

Descendant

One whose descent can be traced to a particular individual or group
A descendant of Queen Victoria.
Descendants of a prize-winning horse.

Ascendant

The ascendant (, Asc or As) is the astrological sign (and degree of that sign) that is ascending on the eastern horizon at the specific time and location of an event. According to certain astrological theories, celestial phenomena reflect or influence human activity on the principle of 'as above, so below'.

Descendant

Something derived from a prototype or earlier form
Today's bicycles are descendants of the earlier velocipede.

Ascendant

Inclining or moving upward; ascending or rising.

Descendant

In astrology, the point of the ecliptic or the sign of the zodiac that sets in the west at the time of a person's birth or other event.

Ascendant

Dominant in position or influence; superior.

Descendant

Variant of descendent.

Ascendant

The position or state of being dominant or in control
A conservative policy currently in the ascendant.

Descendant

Descending; going down
The elevator resumed its descendant trajectory.

Ascendant

In astrology, the point of the ecliptic or the sign of the zodiac that rises in the east at the time of a person's birth or other event.

Descendant

Descending from a biological ancestor.
Power in the kingdom is transferred in a descendant manner.

Ascendant

An ancestor.

Descendant

Proceeding from a figurative ancestor or source.

Ascendant

Rising, moving upward.

Descendant

One of the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations.
The patriarch survived many descendants: five children, a dozen grandchildren, even a great grandchild.

Ascendant

Surpassing or controlling.

Descendant

(figuratively) A thing that derives directly from a given precursor or source.
This famous medieval manuscript has many descendants.

Ascendant

Being in control; superiority, or commanding influence; ascendancy.
One man has the ascendant over another.

Descendant

(biology) A later evolutionary type.
Dogs evolved as descendants of early wolves.

Ascendant

An ancestor.

Descendant

(linguistics) A language that is descended from another.
English and Scots are the descendants of Old English.

Ascendant

(usually followed by to) A royal heir assuming (a place of power).
Given his father’s ghastly demise, one would not expect such glee from the ascendant to his throne.

Descendant

(linguistics) A word or form in one language that is descended from a counterpart in an ancestor language.

Ascendant

Ascent; height; elevation.

Descendant

Descendent.

Ascendant

(astrology) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune.

Descendant

One who descends, as offspring, however remotely; - correlative to ancestor or ascendant.
Our first parents and their descendants.
The descendant of so many kings and emperors.

Ascendant

Ascent; height; elevation.
Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant.

Descendant

A person considered as descended from some ancestor or race

Ascendant

The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune.

Descendant

Going or coming down

Ascendant

Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another.
Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent.

Descendant

Moving downward; descending.
The descendant path was steep and rocky.

Ascendant

An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; - opposed to descendant.

Descendant

An offshoot, like a branch.
The new software is a descendant of the original version.

Ascendant

Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.
The constellation . . . about that time ascendant.

Ascendant

Rising; ascending.

Ascendant

Superior; surpassing; ruling.
An ascendant spirit over him.
The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth.
Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position.

Ascendant

Position or state of being dominant or in control;
That idea was in the ascendant

Ascendant

Someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

Ascendant

Tending or directed upward;
Rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage

Ascendant

Most powerful or important or influential;
The economically ascendant class
D-day is considered the dominating event of the war in Europe

Ascendant

Superior or predominant.
The team's ascendant performance won them the championship.

Common Curiosities

How are "ascendant" and "descendant" used in astrology?

"Ascendant" is the zodiacal sign rising at birth, affecting personality, while "descendant" affects relationships.

Can "ascendant" describe a rising trend?

Yes, "ascendant" can describe something on the rise or gaining prominence.

Can "ascendant" refer to ancestors?

Yes, "ascendant" can refer to one's ancestors or forebears.

Is "descendant" always about family lineage?

While often used in that context, "descendant" can also refer to something derived or descended from another thing.

How does the "descendant" sign influence an individual?

In astrology, the "descendant" sign can influence one's relationships and interactions with others.

Is "ascendant" always about upward movement?

Mostly, but in some contexts, it refers to ancestry or dominance.

Can "descendant" refer to products or versions?

Yes, a product derived from another can be called its "descendant."

Can one be the "descendant" of an idea?

Yes, metaphorically, a thought or concept derived from another can be its "descendant."

Is "descendant" the opposite of "ascendant"?

In many contexts, "descendant" is the antonym of "ascendant."

Can "ascendant" describe someone's mood?

Not typically. It's more about rising or dominance than emotions.

Can "descendant" describe a downward trend?

Yes, "descendant" can describe something on the decline.

Can a company be "ascendant"?

Yes, if it's rising in power or influence.

Do "ascendant" and "descendant" only apply to people?

No, they can apply to ideas, trends, objects, and more, depending on the context.

How are the terms "ascendant" and "descendant" related to inheritance?

"Ascendant" can relate to one's origins, while "descendant" often relates to heirs or those inheriting.

Are "ascendant" and "descendant" opposites in every context?

In many contexts they are, like rising vs. descending, but nuances exist depending on usage.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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