out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd 
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
variants
or outwards
1
: toward the outside
2
obsolete
: on the outside : externally
: external form, appearance, or reality
Synonyms
Examples of outward in a Sentence
Adjective
They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.
She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.
To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.
outward symptoms of the disease
The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.
He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.
Adverb
The window faces outward toward the street.
Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.
air flowing outwards from the lungs
Noun
never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior
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Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Nov. 2023
Armstrong looked forward when the verdict was read and did not display outward emotion, KEYE-TV reported.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Along with male and female, there is the outward and inward focus of the figures, and a sharp distinction between gathering and consuming among the women at the spring, and processing and performing among the male musicians.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
When Jackie decided to return to the spotlight in a bold fashion — accompanying her husband on the campaign trail in Texas three months later — the world was eager to get a glimpse (and seemingly touched by the first couple's more outward affection toward one another in the wake of tragedy).
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
Gently sweep your fingers from the center of your face, following the natural contours outward, then continue down to your chin and neck.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2023
On Friday, the Israeli government warned citizens to avoid outward displays of their Jewish identity as antisemitic attacks tick upward around the world, and in Germany, officials responded to rising numbers of antisemitic incidents with warnings that they would be prosecuted as crimes.
—Harry Bruinius, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Nov. 2023
Stone booked four shows over those two nights but showed up for only one — many hours late, confused and, to all outward appearances, very high.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Her curls were parted down the middle, allowing her curtain bangs to fall towards her cheekbones and flip gently outward.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 10 Oct. 2023
Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 14 Nov. 2023
The exchanges came as tensions rippled outward from the Gaza Strip.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023
Metro’s 7000-series cars are the subject of a federal safety investigation after a 2021 derailment revealed a defect caused several cars’ wheels to push outward, creating instability.
—Justin George, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023
The strike is rapidly rippling outward to roil companies and workers far beyond the picket lines.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2023
Even chemistry as a discipline has grown dramatically, pushing outward its own scholarly boundaries, and chemistry’s achievements continue to be astounding.
—Jeffrey I. Seeman, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2023
In one photo, there’s someone on the other side of the glass, peering outward through a bank of curtained windows.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
Whereas Dern's past bangs have been cut in long, wispy swaths designed to fall into the eyes, the 2.0 iteration were snipped to flip, small sections parted at center and swept outward.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The most complicated maneuver was forming human squares, with bayonets pointed outward—an infantry formation that the British used to scare off the Frenchmen’s horses.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Heather Lanier, Longreads, 10 Jan. 2023
As mayor of Shanghai in 1985-89, Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
As mayor of Shanghai between 1985 and 1989, Mr. Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Nov. 2022
The tendril-like structures radiating outward are not real, but are artifacts of the image processing techniques.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2012
According to this study, the return trip effect (which makes the return trip seem 17-22% shorter on average!) is seen even when people take different routes on the outward and return trips.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014
Start from the inner part of the blade and sweep the steel outward several times on each side.
—Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 8 Nov. 2022
Working from the center outward, group the three tallest succulents slightly to one side of center.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2022
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Adjective
Super Heavy's grid fins, rather, are fixed in an outward position.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Nov. 2023
Armstrong looked forward when the verdict was read and did not display outward emotion, KEYE-TV reported.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023
Along with male and female, there is the outward and inward focus of the figures, and a sharp distinction between gathering and consuming among the women at the spring, and processing and performing among the male musicians.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
When Jackie decided to return to the spotlight in a bold fashion — accompanying her husband on the campaign trail in Texas three months later — the world was eager to get a glimpse (and seemingly touched by the first couple's more outward affection toward one another in the wake of tragedy).
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
Gently sweep your fingers from the center of your face, following the natural contours outward, then continue down to your chin and neck.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2023
On Friday, the Israeli government warned citizens to avoid outward displays of their Jewish identity as antisemitic attacks tick upward around the world, and in Germany, officials responded to rising numbers of antisemitic incidents with warnings that they would be prosecuted as crimes.
—Harry Bruinius, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Nov. 2023
Stone booked four shows over those two nights but showed up for only one — many hours late, confused and, to all outward appearances, very high.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Her curls were parted down the middle, allowing her curtain bangs to fall towards her cheekbones and flip gently outward.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 10 Oct. 2023
Adverb
Pro tip for storage: Push up the flat side against the wall and let the dome side stick outward.
—Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 14 Nov. 2023
The exchanges came as tensions rippled outward from the Gaza Strip.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023
Metro’s 7000-series cars are the subject of a federal safety investigation after a 2021 derailment revealed a defect caused several cars’ wheels to push outward, creating instability.
—Justin George, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023
The strike is rapidly rippling outward to roil companies and workers far beyond the picket lines.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2023
Even chemistry as a discipline has grown dramatically, pushing outward its own scholarly boundaries, and chemistry’s achievements continue to be astounding.
—Jeffrey I. Seeman, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2023
In one photo, there’s someone on the other side of the glass, peering outward through a bank of curtained windows.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
Whereas Dern's past bangs have been cut in long, wispy swaths designed to fall into the eyes, the 2.0 iteration were snipped to flip, small sections parted at center and swept outward.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The most complicated maneuver was forming human squares, with bayonets pointed outward—an infantry formation that the British used to scare off the Frenchmen’s horses.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Noun
Here’s something that borders on miraculous but that scientists in California confirm: The heart emits a magnetic field expanding outward in all directions and returning to the chest in a donut shape.
—Heather Lanier, Longreads, 10 Jan. 2023
As mayor of Shanghai in 1985-89, Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
As mayor of Shanghai between 1985 and 1989, Mr. Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Nov. 2022
The tendril-like structures radiating outward are not real, but are artifacts of the image processing techniques.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2012
According to this study, the return trip effect (which makes the return trip seem 17-22% shorter on average!) is seen even when people take different routes on the outward and return trips.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014
Start from the inner part of the blade and sweep the steel outward several times on each side.
—Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 8 Nov. 2022
Working from the center outward, group the three tallest succulents slightly to one side of center.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing outward
Dictionary Entries Near outward
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outward. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
outward
1 of 2 adjective
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
1
: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center
an outward flow
2
: showing on the outside
outward signs of fear
outward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or outwards
: toward the outside
the city stretches outward for miles
fold it outward
More from Merriam-Webster on outward
Nglish: Translation of outward for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of outward for Arabic Speakers
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