upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

ˈəp-wərdz 

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

a

: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending

an upward movement/flow

b

: directed toward the top (as of a piece of paper)

an upward stroke of the pen

c

: marked by an increase

an upward revision of the employment figures

2

: rising to a higher pitch

Her words had an upward inflection.

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

Some borrowers stick with their ARM even if their rate adjusts upward, said Duane Buziak, a senior mortgage loan advisor with Coast2Coast Mortgage. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

The company cautioned the numbers could revise upward as more vessels are tracked by satellite. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Adjective

On top of that, the market is used to large upward revisions to future capex estimates from hyperscalers. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

In addition to rising prices for goods and services, Treasury bond yields have increased sharply in recent months, putting upward pressure on rates for mortgages, auto loans and other types of consumer debt. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing upward

• onward and upward
• upward mobility
• upward of
• upward spiral

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

-wərdz 

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