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

• 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

In front of reporters, the agent grabbed the crying woman by the arms before shoving her to the wall and then downward. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

While a stateside staging guarantees a higher Nielsen rating than a Ryder Cup that unfolds on the other side of the pond, NBC’s deliveries have crept downward in recent years. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Adjective

The retail price of marijuana in Michigan has been on a downward trend. —Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025

Despite some discouraging downward trends, all the prefatory jawing could go a long way toward siphoning off a fair number of viewers who might otherwise be locked in on the NFL. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025

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