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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sternward
Adverb
  • The service Service here is top notch, with the front desk and concierge bending over backwards to make guests happy.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
  • All that progress rolls backward if males can take spots on both men’s and women’s teams; this torpedoes Title IX and hijacks women’s sports.
    Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • In the past, some ISS crews have had a brief farewell message before entering their spacecraft, trading hugs and handshakes with the crewmates remaining behind on the station.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Despite the gruesome killing, not a drop of blood was left behind.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Safety regulations require some natural gas to remain in the tanks at all times, but the amount of biogas bunkered at the port of Bergen—those 300 cubic meters—equals the fuel requirement for the entire 11-day round trip to Kirkenes, along the Russian border, and back to Bergen.
    Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Returning to Earth The journey home can take a toll on astronauts’ bodies; the g-forces experienced as the Crew Dragon capsule dives back toward Earth can reach more than five times the force of Earth’s gravity.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 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 Jan. 2026.

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