These two nouns are unrelated, except for their prefix a-, which means “to.”
An ascent is a climb, a slope, or any event in which something rises, such as a balloon, or an elevator:
The elevator’s ascent halted at the fifth floor and we got out.
Her ascent through the company’s ranks to CTO took only a year.
As you can see from the second example above, ascent—and its more commonly used verb, ascend—can be used in many ways:
Human evolution is often called “the ascent of man. ” (Though in recognition of this phrase's baked-in sexism, consider using "the ascent of humanity.")
We ascended the cliff face with ropes.
And the event in the Bible, where Jesus ascends to Heaven after his resurrection is known as “The Ascension.”
Assent, which can be a noun or verb, is also common and means “agreement” in the sense of “saying yes”; it cannot be used in all the same ways as agreement:
Correct: They will not perform the operation without your assent.
Correct: If you assent to the terms of this agreement, please sign here.
Incorrect: They all assented on a restaurant to go to.
Correct: They assented to go to the same restaurant.
In other words, to assent to X means “to say yes to X.”
It can also be used without an object:
No matter what they ask for, we will assent.
Yes, assent has the same meaning as consent, which is used in the same contexts, but more commonly. However, assent is also commonly used.
How to Use "Ascent" in a Sentence
- We had to wait for our hiking group meet before the ascent began.
- Ascending Mount Everest is dangerous, but it's one of the most prestigious sporting achievements in the world.
- Ascending the stairs to a balcony, I could hear the people below.
- Ascending to new heights is an exhilarating experience.
- The sun was slowly making its ascent in the sky, bringing with it a new day.
- Despite her initial fears, she made a successful ascent to the top of the mountain peak.
- She was preoccupied with thoughts of her future ascent to a higher position within the company.
- After a long and arduous ascent, I finally made it to the top!
- His ascent to power was not without obstacles, but he overcame them all, losing the respect of the people in the process.
- The view from the summit was worth every step of the arduous ascent.
- I have made fast progress since beginning my ascent up the corporate ladder.
How to Use "Assent" in a Sentence
- The President has assented to the treaty, which was signed on Tuesday and sent to the Senate for ratification.
- I would assent to your suggestion, if it weren't so difficult to pull off.
- I will not assent to any activities that are illegal.
- Judy looked at me with an embarrassed assent.
- The assent of all the members of the council was required for the vote to pass.
- Finally giving his assent, the company president signed off on the agreement with a flourish.
- The board of directors assented to the plan of action.
- However, there can be other reasons for withholding assent, such as concerns about safety or feasibility.
- In order to get someone's assent, you need to make sure that they understand what it is that you're asking them to agree to.