upward

adverb

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up·ward | \ ˈəp-wərd

variants: or upwards \ ˈəp-wərdz

Definition of upward

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

3a : 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

adjective

Definition of upward (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending

2 : rising to a higher pitch

Other Words from upward More Example Sentences Learn More About upward

Examples of upward in a Sentence

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 Last month, federal data showed that deaths from opioids — fentanyl, heroin and illegally diverted prescription painkillers — only continue to trend upward. — New York Times, 16 Dec. 2021 So, the defense continues to trend upward, but Minnesota sure did help the Suns out. — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2021 At least 35 states have seen daily COVID cases trend upward over the past two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins University. Ninety-five percent of Colorado's ICU beds are now full. — CBS News, 12 Nov. 2021 Despite the crisp start, with lows in the 40s areawide, temperatures shot upward with the sun. — Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2021 If these factors aren’t driving prices upward, what is? — Richard Mcgahey, Forbes, 22 June 2021 That dynamic is sparking bidding wars and driving prices upward for what relatively few homes are available. — BostonGlobe.com, 19 May 2021 As the highly contagious omicron variant continues to spread, a coronavirus surge continues to tear through Arkansas, setting record single-day case increases and pushing the state’s hospitalizations upward. — Ryan Tarinelli, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2022 In the past, in-person learning was one of the first things to go when COVID cases inched upward. — David Meyer, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective But markets quickly rebounded, defying expectations on an upward march for the past two years. — Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2022 But markets quickly rebounded, defying expectations on an upward march for the past two years. — Jacob Bogage And Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Jan. 2022 To apply, gently dab it onto your face and blend in using upward and outward motions. — Kayla Hui, Health.com, 21 Jan. 2022 These two conditions—low productivity growth and thin profit margins—weighed heavily on the U.S. economy from the 1970s through the mid-1980s, and both contributed to upward pressures on inflation. — Calvin Schnure, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2022 Since then Soloski has felt like the Utes are on an upward swing. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Jan. 2022 Most of the knives that come out of Reforged are either convex drop-point blades, which are used for hunting, or upward trailing-point blades for kitchen detail. — René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Jan. 2022 Energy use by refrigerators is on a similar upward path. — David Owen, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2022 With Dillon's full hand cropped out just below, the shot's upward angle framed Dillon's skyward thumb square in the center of his lap. — Natasha Dado, PEOPLE.com, 14 Jan. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

24 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward. Accessed 26 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for upward

upward

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of upward

(Entry 1 of 2)

: from a lower place or level to a higher place or level

: toward the ceiling, sky, etc.

: toward a higher or better condition or position

upward

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of upward (Entry 2 of 2)

: moving or going from a lower place or level to a higher place or level

: moving or going toward the ceiling, sky, etc.

: changing to a larger amount or higher number

See the full definition for upward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

upward

adverb

up·ward | \ ˈəp-wərd

variants: or upwards \ -wərdz \

Kids Definition of upward

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : in a direction from lower to higher The balloon floated upward.

2 : toward a higher or better state

3 : toward a greater amount or a higher number or rate

4 : toward the head From the waist upwards he was like a man, but his legs were shaped like a goat's …— C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

upward

adjective

Kids Definition of upward (Entry 2 of 2)

: turned toward or being in a higher place or level an upward gaze an upward movement of prices