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 of downward

Adverb

• down

Adjective

• bowed
• lowered
• down

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

New car registrations in California for Tesla vehicles have trended downward for at least 4 years, hitting a low point during the first quarter of 2026. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026

But there are some warning signs that traders should be cautious of signaling volatility ahead, even if not another move downward. —Sean Conlon,sarah Min,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Adjective

While break-ins such as these are upsetting, the LAPD says property crimes have been on a downward trend. —Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

Encouraging us to shift our gaze from the wall to our devices — to assume that accursed downward tilt of the neck when splendors abound before our eyes — is simply detrimental. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

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 dog
• downward facing dog
• 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