ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 
variants
or less commonly ascendency
: governing or controlling influence : domination
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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
Trump did not wave some magic wand to make this happen, but his ascendancy reminded the Right of the precarious nature of unpopular speech.
—
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
In Argentina, whose population is roughly 63 percent Catholic, people celebrated Bergoglio’s ascendancy to the papacy with jubilation in the streets; thousands headed to the country’s cathedrals waving Argentine flags.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
But the accolades and his ascendancy in the agency could not overcome Mr. Hill’s feelings of guilt.
—Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Generational shift caused by the passing of the Silent Generation and the ascendancy of the more culturally permissive baby boomers?
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
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Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
In Argentina, whose population is roughly 63 percent Catholic, people celebrated Bergoglio’s ascendancy to the papacy with jubilation in the streets; thousands headed to the country’s cathedrals waving Argentine flags.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
But the accolades and his ascendancy in the agency could not overcome Mr. Hill’s feelings of guilt.
—Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Generational shift caused by the passing of the Silent Generation and the ascendancy of the more culturally permissive baby boomers?
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Feb. 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 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən-sē
: controlling influence
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