ascend
UK: əˈsɛnd | US: əˈsɛnd
vi. to move upward; rise
vt. to climb or go up (a mountain, stairs, etc.)
vi. (figuratively) to advance in rank, status, or power
"Ascend" traces back to Latin "ascendere," combining "ad-" (toward) and "scandere" (to climb). The word originally described physical upward movement (e.g., climbing stairs) but later expanded metaphorically to denote progress in status or power. The root "scend" appears in related words like "descend" (climb down) and "transcend" (climb beyond), forming a cohesive semantic family around vertical motion.
The hikers began to ascend the steep trail at dawn.
Hot air balloons ascend slowly into the sky.
She worked hard to ascend the corporate ladder.
The path ascends to a breathtaking viewpoint.
As the music swelled, our spirits seemed to ascend.