Home/USA Today Rootonym/The rate of ascent or descent: inclination; an upward or downward slope (noun)
The rate of ascent or descent: inclination; an upward or downward slope (noun)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “The rate of ascent or descent: inclination; an upward or downward slope (noun)”? The solution is GRADIENT, a 8-letter word built on the root GRAD (“step, go, walk, degree”). It appeared in the September 7, 2026 (Monday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
GRADIENT
GRAD****GRADmeans “step, go, walk, degree”
In a sentence
Workmen sanded the steep GRADIENT of the icy road to allow cars to proceed.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “The rate of ascent or descent: inclination; an upward or downward slope (noun)” has the answer GRADIENT (8 letters), built on the root GRAD, which means “step, go, walk, degree”. Browse the full September 7, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.