upward

1 of 2

adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

ˈəp-wərdz 

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

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

Phrases Containing upward

• onward and upward
• upward spiral
• upward mobility
• upward of

• onward and upward
• upward spiral
• upward mobility
• upward of

Kids Definition

upward

1 of 2 adverb

up·​ward ˈəp-wərd 

variants or upwards

-wərdz 

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