heavenward

adverb or adjective

heav·​en·​ward ˈhe-vən-wərd How to pronounce heavenward (audio)
: toward heaven

Examples of heavenward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Strait showed his respect and affection at song's end, tapping his heart and pointing heavenward. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2022 The encounter, called Nirtzah, which means may God hear our words favorably, includes songs that allow our hearts and souls to soar heavenward. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Head tossed up and back, eyes fixed heavenward, Lucretia is about to stab herself to death. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2022 On Sunday, he was somersaulted heavenward by cornerback Kenny Moore at the end of a 3-yard run on the 49ers’ first drive. Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Oct. 2021 In December, Elon Musk tweeted a slightly risqué image of a Franciscan monk, eyes cast heavenward, hands clasped in prayer, trying to resist the sultry allure of Bitcoin. Eben Shapiro, Time, 21 Mar. 2021 As the chorus soared, earnest hands were raised heavenward—including the hands of my parents, who were always moved by this song to forgo their customary physical reticence. James Wood, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2020 There are no gunshots, no police, no struggle except inner turmoil, erupting now and again, sending the men’s arms heavenward, their torsos twisting. Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2020 Perhaps the most arresting feature in this panorama is the stage: a towering neoclassical structure with Doric columns that soar heavenward. Suspended from the columns are banners emblazoned with the letters QU, for Quaranteen University. Pia Ceres, Wired, 11 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heavenward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavenward was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near heavenward

Cite this Entry

“Heavenward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavenward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heavenward

adverb or adjective
heav·​en·​ward ˈhev-ən-wərd How to pronounce heavenward (audio)
: toward heaven
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