Ascend

To move upward or rise to a higher level, position, or state.

Reach for it when describing upward movement or advancement without promising permanence

The hikers began to ascend as the morning mist cleared.

• everyday

  climb

  effortful upward movement is the plain idea

  not when Climb emphasizes effort and contact with a slope or ladder.

• everyday

  rise

  upward movement happens without specifying effort

  not when Rise can happen passively and may never approach a chosen destination.

• professional

  advance

  progress in rank, position, or development matters

  not when Advance can move forward without any upward hierarchy.

• professional

  scale

  a difficult height is climbed to completion

  not when Scale normally takes an object and is wrong for abstract improvement alone.

• formal

  mount

  gradual upward movement or accumulation is intended

  not when Mount can mean getting onto a horse or fixing an object in place.

• literary

  soar

  rapid or graceful upward movement deserves vivid language

  not when Soar exaggerates a slow climb and can imply effortless success.

• descend
• fall
• decline

• ascend the stairs

  Visitors ascend the stairs beneath the painted dome.

• ascend to the summit

  The team will ascend to the summit only if the wind eases.

• slowly ascend

  Warm air will slowly ascend through the central shaft.