downward 1 of 2

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
But broadcast networks are aware that the downward trend in appointment viewing on traditional TV is never going to reverse. Stephen Battaglio, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025 In March, his approval in the same age range stood at 43 percent, suggesting that May's gain represents a full reversal of the recent downward trend. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Adverb
The same could be said of most major rivers on the West Coast, nearly all of which have seen their native salmon and steelhead runs trend downward over the last 50 to 100 years. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 15 May 2025 Most of the active coronae were encircled by trenches, a hint that old crust dives into Venus’s mantle around these rocky rings, where it is driven downward as buoyant rock rises from below in the middle of each corona’s ring structure. Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for downward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downward
Adjective
  • 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
  • Jeremy Strong forwent a classic suit and tie in favor of a bowed necktie, giving his tailored look the perfect dash of whimsy.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 June 2024
Adverb
  • The adaptation of Mojang’s video game juggernaut, now available on premium video-on-demand, added another $1.3 million on Friday, down 30% from its daily total last week.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • There were also far fewer Germans arriving in California in March, down 26% to 20,847 from March 2024, the agency said.
    Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downward. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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