downward 1 of 2

Definition of downwardnext
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
Even as rents trend slightly downward, with market growth, the overall cost of living continues to rise. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Eufy Robot Vacuum and Mop Deal The Omni C20 is the ultimate adulting flex, featuring 7,000 Pa suction and a Mop Master system that scrubs floors with downward pressure. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
Adverb
According to Health Highroad, roughly 80 percent of its fibers transmit information upward from your organs to your brain, and the remaining 20 percent carry commands downward. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 What concerns leaders of local governments are projections that show a troubling trend downward. Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for downward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward
Adjective
  • With bowed heads, friends and classmates wrapped their arms around each other.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Instead of your standard dress shoes, Styles finished the look with a perfect pair of minty-green ballet flats with bowed laces.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • But with Ben White down injured after 26 minutes and forced off, Arsenal’s season depended on Arteta and his gut feelings again.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • China Bar, one level down, also prepares craft cocktails with the same views and occasional live music.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • For video, the Avata 360 supports a standard color profile with the same naturally vibrant tones as its JPGs, or a 10-bit flat D-Log M profile with lowered contrast and saturation.
    Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on downward

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster