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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Now, as beef prices remain stubbornly high, his administration is turning to a cheaper foreign supply to put downward pressure on prices. Joshua Hong, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 While these numbers show that confirmed cases themselves are still rising, the overall trend is on a downward swing; previous weeks regularly saw increase that numbered into the 2,000 and 3,000 range. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Adverb
The straight tonearm ending in a (swappable) moving magnet phono cartridge points downward, and mechanical controls to the side are pushed, turned and clicked for playback. New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 After healthier payroll increases in May and June were revised downward to 63,000 and 20,000 respectively, payroll growth for the past 3 months averages just 20,000 and for the past 2 months has been completely flat. Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward
Adjective
  • Coupled with the lowered JumboTron, seating that surrounds the court gives it a more intimate look, and plays better on TV.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Now researchers have discovered that the substance essentially transforms a person’s gut cells into a sugar sink, resulting in lowered levels of glucose.
    Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • In February, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the new requirements and other factors would push SNAP enrollment down over the next decade, falling below 34 million by 2036.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Reuters reported on August 13 that Ukraine's grain exports were down 76% year over year in the first half of August.
    Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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