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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sternward
Adverb
  • The Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the public on Friday, on Juneteenth, hugs the north end of Jackson Park, runs alongside a lagoon, rises 225 feet at its highest, and rolls backward down Stony Island Avenue, settling into 58,000 square feet of brilliantly green sloping lawn.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • More complicated maneuvers can be completed by adjusting the tension on the lines or by running forward and backward.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Adverb
  • Court documents say that the two victims were driving east on Highway 62 on the Interstate 35W interchange when Morgan approached from behind in an unmarked black Ford Expedition.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Aston Martin, long a beloved and respected supporting player, has surged close behind with wins in two categories.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Adverb
  • So far, Lan has paid back about $455,000, and the Ho Chi Minh City Judgment Enforcement Agency is still actively processing assets related to Lan for damage compensation, Nguyen told CNN.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie will be back at the box office this weekend, delivering what could be the biggest film debut of the year.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sternward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternward. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster