onward

1 of 2

adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants or less commonly onwards

ˈȯn-wərdz 

ˈän-

: 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

Adverb

• forward

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

Adverb

From December 21st onward, the Capricorn stellium invites a passionate reset. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 28 Nov. 2025

Now, instead of slogging onward with no sense of progress, job seekers can build on small but necessary achievements to gain some glide. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Consider the planes that fly north from Venezuela – booming during the first Trump term, using 50 covert runways in Venezuela’s Zulia region to move their packages to central America for onward transportation, according to Colombian officials. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Around her, other Afghan families that have been forced by Iran to return to Afghanistan crowd around private buses for onward journeys to Herat city and beyond. —Charlotte Slente, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing onward

• onward and upward

Kids Definition

onward

1 of 2 adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants also onwards

-wərdz 

: 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