ascend
verb (used without object)
to move, climb, or go upward; mount; rise.
was ascending
-
past progressiveof ascend.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lewandowski reportedly walked into the cockpit of the Coast Guard plane as it was ascending and demanded to know where Noem's blanket was.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026
The agency grounded 171 Max 9 planes this month after a door panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight while it was ascending after taking off from Portland, Ore., forcing an emergency landing.
From New York Times ● Jan. 17, 2024
She was descending as he was ascending the last leg of the trail.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 6, 2023
At a time when women were, in many cases, expected to conform to traditional roles of a housewife and homemaker, Elizabeth was ascending the throne of a powerful country.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2022
I knew the routine by heart—at this very moment, the tail end of the Grand Spectacle was exiting and Lottie, the aerialist, was ascending her rigging in the center ring.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
