1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inward peace
b
: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
3
: marked by close acquaintance : familiar
4
: directed toward the interior
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the inner being
Synonyms
Examples of inward in a Sentence
Adjective
moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet
Adverb
The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
The lens doesn't show much in the way of distortion, just a slight inward curve for uncorrected Raw photos and none for JPGs.
—PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024
If all that counts is inward essence, what the hell were those teams of makeup artists, coiffeurs, and cinematographers employed by the major studios, in the golden age, doing all day?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Raw images show some barrel distortion at wide angles, the inward pincushion effect at longer focal lengths, and a vignette at f/2.8.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
But the pandemic wiped out many of the smaller indie distributors that were once active in the space, and an increasingly inward focus among both Chinese regulators and local filmgoers has forestalled any rebound.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024
From then on, Mr. Samaras’s inward gaze sought only further horizons.
—Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
However, much like the rest of the industry, this inward investment has stepped up a gear over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
The assimilation of tools into our bodies is fundamentally an inward, immersive experience.
—Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024
Six is actually a good sign to look inward for the answers, just like the hermit card in tarot.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2024
After due diligence, go inward and meditate on each person.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
Conlin’s old bathroom felt cramped due to bad design choices, such as a door that swung inward toward the toilet.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The pandemic and the boorish political and public discourse that followed drove us inward, unable to fight back, going nuts like poor Vanya.
—Jon Robin Baitz, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Sometimes, Yarl, 17, turns inward, ignoring phone calls and texts from loved ones.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Since the study was completed, Mike Zimmerman, owner of The Rock, has adjusted the direction of speakers on the property to be directed inward.
—Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
With seats facing inward and plenty of room to meander, drink, and chat, both of the cars foster a refreshingly social atmosphere on board.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024
Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
The first image Karkai sold as an N.F.T. depicted a woman with two overlapping facial expressions, one outward-facing and neutral, one inward and downcast.
—Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
Some destinations currently require masks for inward and outward bound flights -- such as the US, where the mask mandate is set to be in place until at least April 18.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, and the inward or outward turning of eyelids can also trigger dry eye, per the AAO.
—Jenny McCoy, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021
Henry’s life pulsed between the inward and outward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
However, adopting a mindset that encompasses centrifugal and centripetal forces will help HR managers maintain balance on the fulcrum of inward and outward trends.
—Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021
For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair.
—Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, 9 Dec. 2020
Adjective
Then an operator outside the chamber spun a valve to halt the inward rush of gas.
—Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024
The lens doesn't show much in the way of distortion, just a slight inward curve for uncorrected Raw photos and none for JPGs.
—PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024
If all that counts is inward essence, what the hell were those teams of makeup artists, coiffeurs, and cinematographers employed by the major studios, in the golden age, doing all day?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Raw images show some barrel distortion at wide angles, the inward pincushion effect at longer focal lengths, and a vignette at f/2.8.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
But the pandemic wiped out many of the smaller indie distributors that were once active in the space, and an increasingly inward focus among both Chinese regulators and local filmgoers has forestalled any rebound.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024
From then on, Mr. Samaras’s inward gaze sought only further horizons.
—Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
However, much like the rest of the industry, this inward investment has stepped up a gear over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
The assimilation of tools into our bodies is fundamentally an inward, immersive experience.
—Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Adverb
To be able to do that, the Ferrari CEO has looked inward to undertake big changes aimed at cutting processes, shrinking teams, and minimizing bureaucracy.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024
Six is actually a good sign to look inward for the answers, just like the hermit card in tarot.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2024
After due diligence, go inward and meditate on each person.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
Conlin’s old bathroom felt cramped due to bad design choices, such as a door that swung inward toward the toilet.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The pandemic and the boorish political and public discourse that followed drove us inward, unable to fight back, going nuts like poor Vanya.
—Jon Robin Baitz, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Sometimes, Yarl, 17, turns inward, ignoring phone calls and texts from loved ones.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Since the study was completed, Mike Zimmerman, owner of The Rock, has adjusted the direction of speakers on the property to be directed inward.
—Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
With seats facing inward and plenty of room to meander, drink, and chat, both of the cars foster a refreshingly social atmosphere on board.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts.
—Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
The first image Karkai sold as an N.F.T. depicted a woman with two overlapping facial expressions, one outward-facing and neutral, one inward and downcast.
—Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
Some destinations currently require masks for inward and outward bound flights -- such as the US, where the mask mandate is set to be in place until at least April 18.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, and the inward or outward turning of eyelids can also trigger dry eye, per the AAO.
—Jenny McCoy, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021
Henry’s life pulsed between the inward and outward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
However, adopting a mindset that encompasses centrifugal and centripetal forces will help HR managers maintain balance on the fulcrum of inward and outward trends.
—Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021
For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair.
—Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, 9 Dec. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inward
Cite this Entry
“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the mind or spirit
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