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 Looking ahead, rain and lightning storm chances increase Tuesday onward as moisture returns to the area. — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 The film will be released theatrically from September 28 onwards in 56 territories. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Officials speculated that prompt outbreak responses kept the MRSA strain from moving onward in families and the community. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 His comments come seven months after Tiley proposed a move in the opposite direction by suggesting that best-of-five-set matches be introduced in the women’s competition at the Australian Open from the quarter-finals onwards. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for onward

Adverb

Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Every action is decisive and cannot be reversed, just as the film runs ever forward through the projector.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of forward

Adverb

As pre-production raced along, Klein worked with multiple collaborators on the songs and the pre-records the actors would lip-sync to.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026
Follow along below for a survey of the worthiest briefcases on the market and make your daily commute just a little more stylish.

— Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of along

Adverb

Like Kaprizov and a slew of star forwards last season, Hughes and Makar could each be waiting for the other to sign first.

— Michael Russo, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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

On every other day of the year, tens of thousands more who work in the neighborhood’s theaters and hotels, at the New York Times, Reuters, Olive Garden, or any of the other area’s many employers, walk back and forth in front of the 25-story tower.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026
Under current rules, decisions from either the City Council or Planning Department can get kicked back and forth indefinitely.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of onward

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes