ONWARDS Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

onward

adverb

ˈȯn-wərd

variants also onwards

Definition of onward

as in forward

toward a point ahead in space or time we must continue to move onward, or we will die in this desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backward

as in along

toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time work on the project has been continuing onward at a steady pace

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 onward In Colombia’s Ciénaga Grande, roads and dikes disrupted the flow of seawater and freshwater from the 1950s onward, contributing to one of the largest mangrove die-offs on record. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Then, from the sixteenth century onward, Christian philos-ophers and social reformers repeatedly engaged in thought experiments about classless Utopias. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 This is the practical discipline of moving ever onward in the face of ambiguity. — Jeff Degraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Think about the patron of the arts from the Renaissance onwards. — John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onward

Adverb

The Georgian forward went 11 for 35 from three-point range during the first 11 games of the season and suddenly found his shooting stroke with consecutive five-of-eight nights against the Hawks and Bucks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
With under five minutes remaining in regulation, Pelicans reserve forward Julian Reese — the brother of Atlanta Dream superstar Angel Reese — received a technical foul for his role in a dustup involving Clowney.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of forward

Adverb

Mourinho has been working hard to get the star forwards attacking different spaces on the counter.

— Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Of course, just because a timeframe hasn't been announced to the public, that doesn't mean there is no internal timeframe that can be brought forwards and backwards as necessary.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of forwards

Adverb

Kansas has regularly gone back and forth between Republican and Democratic governors.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
Throughout, cutting back and forth between scheming politicians in backrooms, foreboding factory lines and a natural world suffering both, Xun mixes almost cartoonish expression with the intense detail of painting.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of forth

Browse Nearby Words

onuses

onward

oodles

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Onward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/onward. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of onward

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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