downward 1 of 2

Definition of downwardnext
as in bowed
directed down fishermen keep watch for the downward plunge of seabirds diving for food

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

downward

2 of 2

adverb

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

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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
Wrapping the right way is also crucial because doing it the wrong way can create downward pressure on your pelvic floor and cause a prolapse. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026 Other productions that bucked the downward trend were Liberation, closing February 1, posting a gross of $539,557, and Oedipus, closing February 8, taking $890,294. Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
But that is projected to shift downward when the current fiscal year ends. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2026 Zoom in through the dark clouds parting to reveal a figure falling face downward, clearly a female form in stiletto heels descending toward Earth. Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward
Adjective
  • The building with its bowed windows and a Queen Ann tower had already been around for nine years before its owner placed a classified ad in a July 1897 issue of The Kansas City Times.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Nov. 2025
  • No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adverb
  • That process began by Pidgeon working closely with the movement coach Julia Crockett to get some of her mannerisms down.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
  • That’s down by one week and about 880 million minutes of watch time compared to the first season in 2024.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Dethleffs had to be particularly creative with the toilet room, walling off a private space separate from the remainder of the open floor plan that fits in below the lowered roof.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Supercharge your multiplier for more winnings and have a better chance at a win with a lowered projection.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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