downward 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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
Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth NO: Trump, without evidence, alleged political manipulation and fired the nonpartisan BLS commissioner after the agency published weak jobs numbers and downward revisions. Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025 The jobs report also showed downward revisions to previously reported employment numbers, indicating that the economy may be slowing more than expected. Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
The jobs report notably revises -- either downward or upward -- the previous two months' jobs totals. Isabella Murray, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2025 Plus, the picture of a strong labor market took a hit with the release of the most recent jobs report, which showed payroll gains for May and June were revised downward by 258,000. Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward
Adjective
  • 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
  • The composer also added synths to his orchestral score, as well as bowed metal, where a violin bow is rubbed against metal instruments like a cowbell or a Vibraphone, for when Roz has a particularly intense feeling.
    Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • The water was 58 degrees at the top and the same 10 or 15 feet down, but the day was overcast and cold, and a hard wind was blowing out of the northwest.
    Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The company’s shares ended down 1.5% after the earnings release.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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