onward

1 of 2

adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd How to pronounce onward (audio)
ˈän-
variants or less commonly onwards
Synonyms of onwardnext
: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

onward

2 of 2

adjective

: directed or moving onward : forward

Synonyms of onward

Examples of onward in a Sentence

Adverb They have lived in that house from 1983 onward. we must continue to move onward, or we will die in this desert
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
From the ground station onward, the data pipeline typically runs over conventional fiber-optic backhaul. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026 Calipari made sure to give Acuff a handshake on his way off the podium — and likely onward to the NBA. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
There were signs of disconnection as stray passes failed to find a blue shirt, the most obvious example being Erin Cuthbert hoping to hit an onward runner from a free kick, only for the ball to go straight out of play. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 As this year’s awards season has marched mercilessly onward, one of the biggest questions hinged on which film would walk away with Best Picture. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onward

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onward was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Onward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onward. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

onward

1 of 2 adverb
on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd How to pronounce onward (audio)
ˈän-
variants also onwards
: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward
kept moving onward

onward

2 of 2 adjective
: directed or moving onward
the onward march of time

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