DOWNWARD Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

downward 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of downward

as in bowed

directed down fishermen keep watch for the downward plunge of seabirds diving for food

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

downward

2 of 2

adverb

ˈdau̇n-wərd

variants or downwards

as in down

toward or in a lower position at this point the river flows gently downward to the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of downward

Adjective

Television still represents the largest portion of residual income for writers, and while most subcategories followed the downward trend, high-budget SVOD residuals are growing. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026 Their arrival also triggers the opening of a lockup provision that will allow pre-IPO shareholders to begin selling a portion of their holdings that could exert some more downward pressure on the stock. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Cars 2 and 3 also appear to be slanted downward, in contrast to the position of the rest of the vehicles. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 The leading seasonal hurricane forecaster, Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University, has steadily been revising his outlook downward. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward

Adjective

The lowered rating comes after AppLovin posted mixed results for the second quarter and third-quarter profit guidance that missed expectations, sending shares lower by more than 16% in the premarket.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
That refusal to accept lowered expectations carried him to being Chairman of Nike’s Jordan Brand and leading the Portland Trail Blazers.

— Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of lowered

Adverb

Intel, the largest private employer in Oregon, also announced layoffs last month, impacting its data center operations and shrinking its workforce to 81,000 — down from more than 130,000 in 2022.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Nationally, only about 25% of homes are selling above their asking price, down from roughly 55% at the pandemic-era peak in 2022, according to Redfin.

— Mike Winters, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of down

Browse Nearby Words

downturns

downward

downwind

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Style

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of downward

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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