northwestward

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

north·​west·​ward nȯr(th)-ˈwes-twərd How to pronounce northwestward (audio)
: toward the northwest
northwestwards adverb

northwestward

2 of 2

noun

Examples of northwestward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
The hurricane center also said an area of low pressure is likely to form offshore of Central America and southern Mexico later this week or over the weekend, with a tropical depression potentially forming by early next week as the system moves northwestward. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 June 2026 The smoke from this fire is moving north and northwestward on Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze, but later on the smoke could hover over parts of western Broward County and then move westward. Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Noun
The area of disturbed weather likely to become Jerry is moving quickly west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025 Although the storm is moving northwestward at just under 5 mph, it's expected to turn northward before accelerating northeastward early next week. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for northwestward

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1758, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of northwestward was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northwestward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northwestward. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

northwestward

adverb or adjective
north·​west·​ward
nȯrth-ˈwes-twərd
: toward the northwest
northwestwards
-twərdz
adverb
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