When a person, group, or idea is in the ascendancy, they are on top, or on the way there: they have more power, more say, more room to move than the others. We often use the whole phrase in the ascendancy, as if power were a hill.

When a person, group, or idea is in the ascendancy當一個人、團體或想法in the ascendancy居於優勢時 they are on top, or on the way there代表他們正處於頂端，或正朝那個方向前進 they have more power, more say, more room to move than the others比其他人擁有更多權力、更多發言權、更多轉圜空間 We often use the whole phrase in the ascendancy我們常常整句用in the ascendancy as if power were a hill好像權力是一座山丘

It is a formal word. You meet it in history, politics, and serious news, not in a text to a friend.

It is a formal word這是個正式的字 You meet it in history, politics, and serious news你會在歷史、政治和嚴肅的新聞裡看到它 not in a text to a friend不會出現在傳給朋友的訊息裡

A party can be in the ascendancy; one idea can have ascendancy over another.

A party can be in the ascendancy一個政黨可以is in the ascendancy居於優勢 one idea can have ascendancy over another一個想法也可以have ascendancy over凌駕於另一個想法

Though actually, scientists who study living networks also use the word in a special way (a man called Robert Ulanowicz gave it that job), but that is not the meaning most learners need. For ordinary English, think: who is winning the quiet fight for control.

Though actually不過其實 scientists who study living networks also use the word in a special way研究生態網絡的科學家也會用這個字，有種特別的用法 a man called Robert Ulanowicz gave it that job一位叫Robert Ulanowicz的人給了它這個任務 but that is not the meaning most learners need但那不是大多數學習者需要的意思 For ordinary English就一般英文來說 think: who is winning the quiet fight for control想成：誰正在那場無聲的權力戰裡贏