Definitions:

1. most powerful or important or influential adjective
   • the economically ascendant class
2. position or state of being dominant or in control noun
   • that idea was in the ascendant
3. tending or directed upward adjective
   • rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage John Ruskin

Synonyms:

• antecedent
• ascendent
• ascensive
• dominating