downward

1 of 2

adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd 

variants or downwards

ˈdau̇n-wərdz 

1

a

: from a higher to a lower place

b

: toward a direction that is the opposite of up

2

: from a higher to a lower condition

3

a

: from an earlier time

b

: from an ancestor or predecessor

downward

2 of 2

adjective

1

: moving or extending downward

2

: descending from a head, origin, or source

downwardly adverb

downwardness noun

Synonyms

Adverb

• below
• down
• over

Adjective

• bowed
• down
• downcast
• lowered

Examples of downward in a Sentence

Adverb

The mountain streams flow downward to the lake.

Mud covered his pants from the knees downward.

Adjective

Sales continued their downward trend.

the downward revision of an estimate

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Meanwhile, the peacock on the left appears almost submissive, his tail trailing downward, a white tuft feather sticking out of his head. —Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2024

Pilots in those Boeing planes fought against a flight-control system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, that pushed the nose of the planes downward repeatedly. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 July 2024

Adjective

Amid downward trends in television audience, the Olympics are at a crossroads, and many are counting on Paris 2024 to reinvigorate the Games like Los Angeles did 40 years ago. —Rick Maese, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

Upgrade brewing: Shares of Starbucks fell Monday after bucking the market’s downward trend last week thanks to a nearly 7% jump Friday. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 22 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

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

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing downward

• downward spiral

Kids Definition

downward

1 of 2 adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd 

variants or downwards

-wərdz 

1

: from a higher place or condition to a lower one

2

: from an earlier time

downward

2 of 2 adjective

: moving or reaching down

Legal Definition

downward

1 of 2 adjective

down·​ward

: going from a higher to a lower level

a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines

downward

2 of 2 adverb

: from a higher to a lower level

instead of following the sentencing guidelines, the court departed downward