1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inward peace
b
: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
3
: marked by close acquaintance : familiar
4
: directed toward the interior
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the inner being
Synonyms
Examples of inward in a Sentence
Adjective
moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet
Adverb
The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Raw images show some barrel distortion at wide angles, the inward pincushion effect at longer focal lengths, and a vignette at f/2.8.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
But the pandemic wiped out many of the smaller indie distributors that were once active in the space, and an increasingly inward focus among both Chinese regulators and local filmgoers has forestalled any rebound.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024
From then on, Mr. Samaras’s inward gaze sought only further horizons.
—Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
However, much like the rest of the industry, this inward investment has stepped up a gear over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
The assimilation of tools into our bodies is fundamentally an inward, immersive experience.
—Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
The journey of leadership is both an inward and outward adventure.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
This year is a time for reflection and inward growth.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2024
Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Since the study was completed, Mike Zimmerman, owner of The Rock, has adjusted the direction of speakers on the property to be directed inward.
—Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
With seats facing inward and plenty of room to meander, drink, and chat, both of the cars foster a refreshingly social atmosphere on board.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024
Businesses that are unsure where to start must first turn their attention inward.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Because the sky glow — the halo of light surrounding cities from artificial light sources — is stronger than the reflection of the moon and stars on the ocean’s surface, the sea turtles are drawn inward to the land along coastal cities.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
Countries are increasingly turning inward at a time when global challenges such as climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence require a collaborative response, said Achim Steiner, administrator of the U.N. Development Program, which produced the assessment.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
My biggest challenge was braking, which requires you to turn your hips and legs inward to form a pizza slice with your skis.
—Essence, 11 Mar. 2024
In Protest Trump Defeats Haley In Michigan Republican Primary—On Track To Clinch Nomination Next Month
The foundational stage also entails looking inward and auditing yourself as a leader based on the same fields.
—Dylan Taylor, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
The first image Karkai sold as an N.F.T. depicted a woman with two overlapping facial expressions, one outward-facing and neutral, one inward and downcast.
—Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
Some destinations currently require masks for inward and outward bound flights -- such as the US, where the mask mandate is set to be in place until at least April 18.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, and the inward or outward turning of eyelids can also trigger dry eye, per the AAO.
—Jenny McCoy, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021
Henry’s life pulsed between the inward and outward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
However, adopting a mindset that encompasses centrifugal and centripetal forces will help HR managers maintain balance on the fulcrum of inward and outward trends.
—Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021
For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair.
—Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, 9 Dec. 2020
Adjective
If all that counts is inward essence, what the hell were those teams of makeup artists, coiffeurs, and cinematographers employed by the major studios, in the golden age, doing all day?
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024
Raw images show some barrel distortion at wide angles, the inward pincushion effect at longer focal lengths, and a vignette at f/2.8.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
But the pandemic wiped out many of the smaller indie distributors that were once active in the space, and an increasingly inward focus among both Chinese regulators and local filmgoers has forestalled any rebound.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024
From then on, Mr. Samaras’s inward gaze sought only further horizons.
—Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
However, much like the rest of the industry, this inward investment has stepped up a gear over the last few years.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
The assimilation of tools into our bodies is fundamentally an inward, immersive experience.
—Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
The journey of leadership is both an inward and outward adventure.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
This year is a time for reflection and inward growth.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Sometimes, Yarl, 17, turns inward, ignoring phone calls and texts from loved ones.
—Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Since the study was completed, Mike Zimmerman, owner of The Rock, has adjusted the direction of speakers on the property to be directed inward.
—Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
With seats facing inward and plenty of room to meander, drink, and chat, both of the cars foster a refreshingly social atmosphere on board.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024
Businesses that are unsure where to start must first turn their attention inward.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Because the sky glow — the halo of light surrounding cities from artificial light sources — is stronger than the reflection of the moon and stars on the ocean’s surface, the sea turtles are drawn inward to the land along coastal cities.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
Countries are increasingly turning inward at a time when global challenges such as climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence require a collaborative response, said Achim Steiner, administrator of the U.N. Development Program, which produced the assessment.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
My biggest challenge was braking, which requires you to turn your hips and legs inward to form a pizza slice with your skis.
—Essence, 11 Mar. 2024
In Protest Trump Defeats Haley In Michigan Republican Primary—On Track To Clinch Nomination Next Month
The foundational stage also entails looking inward and auditing yourself as a leader based on the same fields.
—Dylan Taylor, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts.
—Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
The first image Karkai sold as an N.F.T. depicted a woman with two overlapping facial expressions, one outward-facing and neutral, one inward and downcast.
—Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
Some destinations currently require masks for inward and outward bound flights -- such as the US, where the mask mandate is set to be in place until at least April 18.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, and the inward or outward turning of eyelids can also trigger dry eye, per the AAO.
—Jenny McCoy, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021
Henry’s life pulsed between the inward and outward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
However, adopting a mindset that encompasses centrifugal and centripetal forces will help HR managers maintain balance on the fulcrum of inward and outward trends.
—Naira Velumyan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021
For most Jews, Hanukkah has always been an inward, at-home, after-work-on-a-Wednesday sort of affair.
—Rachel Levin, SFChronicle.com, 9 Dec. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inward
Cite this Entry
“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the mind or spirit
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