upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd How to pronounce upward (audio)
variants or upwards
1
a
: in a direction from lower to higher
the kite rose upward
b(1)
: toward the source (as of a river)
(2)
: toward the interior (as of a region)
c
: in a higher position
held out his hand, palm upward
d
: in the upper parts : toward the head : above
from the waist upward
2
: toward a higher or better condition or level
young lawyers moving upward
3
a
: to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank
from $5 upward
b
: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
attendance figures have risen upward
4
: toward or into later years
from youth upward

upward

2 of 2

adjective

1
: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending
2
: rising to a higher pitch
upwardly adverb
upwardness noun

Examples of upward in a Sentence

Adverb The road gradually rose upward. She directed my gaze upward. They are moving upward socially and economically. moving upward in the corporate world Adjective an upward revision of the vote tally
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
His declarative sentences turn upward at the end, like a series of unanswerable questions. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood [Anti-] Katie Crutchfield expands upward and outward on Tigers Blood, her latest as Waxahatchee, refining and rewilding her country and rock roots. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was also revised upward to 2.4% on the Fed’s preferred measure. Anna Cooban, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 That mix causes nutrient-rich water to rise upward and support a whole web of life, including bait fish, sea birds and over 25 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The cost of health care has marched steadily upward even as life expectancy in the U.S. has declined. Byjohn Kell, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Notice that there were always a number of days above average, but that trend continues upward. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Major crimes ticked upward in January before declining in February. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Grab the bar from the front by reaching, jumping, or lifting your body upward with your shoulder blades pulled down and back. Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Antelopes coach Bryce Drew spoke that night about its importance in the program’s upward trajectory. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024 Kelly raised his rifle high and fired at an upward angle until the group left. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 There was upward pressure from motor fuel, housing and household services. Tom Rees, Fortune Europe, 20 Mar. 2024 That could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the economy’s remarkable strength possibly keeping some upward pressure on prices or rate increases not trickling to the broader, real economy just yet. Bryan Mena, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 According to an analysis by the Brookings Institution, the influx over the last two years has approximately doubled the number of jobs that the economy could add per month in 2024 without putting upward pressure on inflation, to a range of 160,000 to 200,000. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Such a slowdown could help the economy thread the needle and stay out of recession while also removing upward pressure on inflation. Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024 Several other market observers weighed in, commenting on the various factors that are placing upward pressure on bitcoin prices. Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Inflation The major difference between the two periods boils down to inflation, or the upward change in prices for goods and services. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upward.' 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

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upward was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near upward

Cite this Entry

“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb
up·​ward ˈəp-wərd How to pronounce upward (audio)
variants or upwards
1
: in a direction from lower to higher
the land rises upward
2
: toward a higher or better condition
worked my way upward in the business
3
: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
prices shot upward

upward

2 of 2 adjective
: directed toward or located in a higher place or level : ascending
upwardly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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