upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd How to pronounce upward (audio)
variants or upwards
1
a
: in a direction from lower to higher
the kite rose upward
b(1)
: toward the source (as of a river)
(2)
: toward the interior (as of a region)
c
: in a higher position
held out his hand, palm upward
d
: in the upper parts : toward the head : above
from the waist upward
2
: toward a higher or better condition or level
young lawyers moving upward
3
a
: to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank
from $5 upward
b
: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
attendance figures have risen upward
4
: toward or into later years
from youth upward

upward

2 of 2

adjective

1
: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending
2
: rising to a higher pitch
upwardly adverb
upwardness noun

Example Sentences

Adverb The road gradually rose upward. She directed my gaze upward. They are moving upward socially and economically. moving upward in the corporate world Adjective an upward revision of the vote tally
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Snap, still wrestling with an unpredictable advertising environment, reported first-quarter 2023 revenue that slightly undershot Wall Street expectations even as Snapchat’s user growth continued upward. Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Apr. 2023 He's got a smart and successful wife, Beth (Amanda Peet), a bright little girl named Ellen (Obi-Wan Kenobi's Vivien Lyra Blair), and a career trajectory that consistently trends upward. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2023 Keeping your back flat, core engaged, and elbows by your sides, curl the dumbbells halfway up while rotating your palms upward. Men's Health, 21 Apr. 2023 But the flip side of this perpetual motion machine—deep ocean waters defying gravity and rising upward—has long been a mystery. science.org, 19 Apr. 2023 Still, if the company reports upbeat Q1 results and provides the 2023 outlook better than the street estimates, the P/E multiple will likely be revised upward, resulting in higher levels for PM stock. Trefis Team, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023 Less competition And greater market concentration caused by chains buying out smaller hospitals is helping to push medical inflation upward, as is the historically opaque nature of health care pricing. oregonlive, 30 Mar. 2023 And greater market concentration caused by chains buying out smaller hospitals is helping to push medical inflation upward, as is the historically opaque nature of healthcare pricing. Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2023 As airport officials in Phoenix expect traffic to continue trending upward, here are ways for winter visitors and local residents to get through the airport a little easier. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The March job gain may lead the Fed to conclude that the pace of hiring is still putting upward pressure on wages and inflation and that further rates hikes are necessary. Paul Wiseman, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Apr. 2023 But the latest data includes evidence of lingering upward pressure on prices. Julia Horowitz, CNN, 31 Mar. 2023 Traders hope a measure of U.S. inflation due out Friday that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve will show upward pressure on prices easing. Joe Mcdonald, ajc, 31 Mar. 2023 By hiking rates repeatedly, FOMC officials have placed upward pressure on broader interest rates, a development that could give investors greater incentive to purchase yield-bearing financial instruments instead of ones that do not provide these regular payments. Charles Bovaird, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 Because medical care services make up 16% of the PCE, contrasted with just under 7% in CPI, that will tend to put upward pressure on PCE inflation relative to CPI inflation. Gwynn Guilford, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023 Use your fingers to apply upward pressure along the cheekbones and at the inner edge, middle, and ends of the brows. Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 24 Jan. 2023 Investors had worried the Federal Reserve might respond to enduring upward pressure on prices by speeding up the pace of interest rate increases. Joe Mcdonald, ajc, 15 Mar. 2023 Investors fear Fed overreaction Investors fear the Fed might respond to enduring upward pressure on prices by speeding up the pace of interest rate increases to dampen economic activity and inflation. CBS News, 15 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upward was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near upward

Cite this Entry

“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb
up·​ward ˈəp-wərd How to pronounce upward (audio)
variants or upwards
1
: in a direction from lower to higher
the land rises upward
2
: toward a higher or better condition
worked my way upward in the business
3
: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
prices shot upward

upward

2 of 2 adjective
: directed toward or located in a higher place or level : ascending
upwardly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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