STERNWARD Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

sternward

adverb

ˈstərn-wərd

variants or sternwards

Definition of sternward

as in backward

near, toward, or in the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft a flight attendant hurried sternward to attend to the disturbance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sternward

Adverb

The original iPhone launched without copy and paste, third-party apps or 3G, and BlackBerry users could fairly call it a step backward.

— Aditi Sinha, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
When the tide rises and the water level in the bay exceeds the street level, crews shut the valves to block saltwater from rushing backward up the pipes and onto the streets.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of backward

Adverb

The circumstances remain unclear, but passenger Spenza Mudave said a truck hit the bus from behind, causing the bus to roll.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Its thrift store is stocked with clothes and items collected during student move-outs when many items get left behind, including Halloween costumes and accessories.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of behind

Adverb

Also of note is the Dusk Bar, which sits aft on Deck 10 and is stocked with interesting spirits.

— David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2024
Bars and Restaurants The best seat in the house was aft, on the Lido deck, soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine with a flute of Champagne.

— Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2023

Definition of aft

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.

Browse Nearby Words

sterns

sternward

Stetson

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Style

“Sternward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternward. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sternward

adverb

Example Sentences

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