variants or sternwards
Definition of sternwardnext
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
  • To this day, Freeman cannot bring himself to wear his cap backward.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2026
  • Massachusetts residents are tired of watching politicians bend over backwards for every political agenda imaginable while our own citizens, especially our veterans, are treated like an afterthought.
    Anne Brensley, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Adverb
  • Because it is viewed as a winner-take-all technology, firms are investing at extraordinary levels to avoid falling behind, crowding out investment in housing, manufacturing and other infrastructure.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • On the wall behind was the shrine’s central altar, bronze doors open on either side.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Adverb
  • Sullivan, though, first pushed back on the idea the Dolphins were trying to trade him at the NFL meetings later that month, calling him a priority to get extended.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Unidentified trespassers stole the control stick out of an R train while it was parked underground in southern Brooklyn back in December — along a stretch of storage track popular with joyriders and graffiti artists.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
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
  • Open exterior decks forward and aft allow for a steady sea breeze, as the owner—who was last aboard his yacht in the summer of 2021—used to regularly enjoy.
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2023
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Sternward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternward. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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