1. ancestors or forebears; people from whom one is descended
Usage: formal
2. people who are rising in power, influence, or importance
Usage: formal

Examples

• She traced her family tree back to her earliest known ascendants.
• The genealogist helped him identify his ascendants from the 18th century.
• Many of his ascendants had been farmers in rural Ireland.
• The political ascendants of the new generation brought fresh ideas.
• These young entrepreneurs are among the ascendants in the tech industry.
• The ascendants in the party pushed for progressive reforms.