ˈæn.sɛs.tɚ ˈæn.sɛs.tə ˌantɪˈsiːdənt əˈsɛndənt əˈsɛndənt əˈsɛnsɪv most powerful or important or influential the economically ascendant class D-day is considered the dominating event of the war in Europe tending or directed upward rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent) position or state of being dominant or in control that idea was in the ascendant