Synonyms of downward

downward 1 of 2

adjective

as in bowed

directed down

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bowed
• lowered
• down
• downcast

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upward
• lifted
• elevated
• uplifted
• raised

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

• down
• below
• over
• downhill
• downstairs
• low
• downgrade
• facedown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upward
• up
• upwardly
• aloft

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downward

Adjective

The downward trend’s timing couldn’t be better, Tisch said, as New York City enters the summer months, and the nation’s largest police force prepares for an unprecedented number of large-scale events, including the World Cup and the nation’s sesquicentennial celebration. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026

These lights tend to have a downward cast and lower wattage, which are less disruptive to neighbors or animals. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026

Adverb

Instead of those handle halves folding around close to 180 degrees to reveal a central set of pliers like many other Leathermans do, one of the Crunch's handles pulls out and swings downward via an internal arm to reveal the pliers, which in turn swing into position. —New Atlas, 4 June 2026

Mia Thurow Crime in Indianapolis has been steadily trending downward the past four years, but violent youth crime doesn’t show such a consistent pattern. —Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 June 2026