OUTWARD Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

outward 1 of 2

adjective

ˈau̇t-wərd

Definition of outward

as in outer

situated on the outside or farther out the wall's outward face is painted over with a colorful mural honoring illustrious members of the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outward

2 of 2

noun

as in face

outward and often deceptive indication never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 outward

Adjective

Its outward investment has exceeded inward investment for the past 15 years, precisely the imbalance the current government is determined to correct. — Control Risks, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 But even then, with the outward appearance of rapprochement, the siblings were struggling with their legacies and each other. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

In IconArrows pointing outwards Get Mike Santoli's Market Memo in your inbox first. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outward

Adjective

The thick layer of rock shields it from cosmic rays, while a water tank and outer detectors help block or identify other particles that could mimic a dark matter signal.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
And in the years since the 2010 earthquake there, some residents have moved to outer areas, but it's really remained a cultural hub, and its Haitian roots are really visible everywhere.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of outer

Noun

Trout, the face of the franchise, has nonetheless been clear and direct about his desire to remain in Anaheim.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
White County firefighter Will Roper rappelled down the rock face, secured the climber in a harness and attached him to a rope before he was brought to the top of the mountain.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of face

Adjective

In transport and mobile machinery, this direct integration converts exterior bodywork into an auxiliary power source.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Historic Preservation Commission members voted Thursday to approve exterior changes to the mansion’s original design plan as the building, now more than a century old, undergoes restoration and renovation as part of a new residential development.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exterior

Noun

By comparison, prior to Warsh taking office, officials averaged roughly 23 public appearances during the same two-week period following each Fed policy meeting since 2022.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Harris, making just his eighth career appearance, set the tone by pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts to record his second career hold.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of appearance

Noun

Finally, Angel Martinez captured this gorgeous shot of the eclipsed Sturgeon Moon setting behind a cluster of skyscrapers in Madrid, Spain, as atmospheric effects distorted the true color and outline of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
As climate change exacerbates the heat, experts say the negative effects of sizzling classrooms are here to stay, especially in school districts that may not have the resources to combat hotter weather.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effect

Noun

After testing multiple new hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, cargo vans, family SUVs and more, here are my top 10 best new vehicles of 2026 so far based on my driving impressions, rankings and overall value propositions.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Ben’s view Analysis of China is often so polarized that a casual observer might get the impression that Beijing is both an unstoppable force on the verge of global domination and a precarious dictatorship on the brink of collapse.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of impression

Noun

And are some Heat fans still upset with the way James left Miami in ‘14 after a seeming falling out with Pat Riley?

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
But so far Indiana is off to just a 6-5 start this year, while Clark has seen a seeming decline in shooting accuracy.

— Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Definition of seeming

Noun

Amid the cinematic chaos of what those Transformers movies would be, there was still Optimus Prime, anchoring the whole thing to some semblance of nobility.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026
If the Raiders have some semblance of a passing game — similar to in 2024, when Jakobi Meyers produced a receiving line of 129-87-1,027-4 — Nailor and Tucker are in the conversation to benefit alongside Brock Bowers.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of semblance

Browse Nearby Words

outturns

outward

outwardly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outward. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outward

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes