sternward

adverb

ˈstərn-wərd How to pronounce sternward (audio)
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
  1. backward
  2. behind
  3. back
  4. aft
Adverb
  • With five planets currently moving backward, Mercury and Venus hit closest to home.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Nearby, participants can also rappel backward down a 60-foot wall.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 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
  • Nebraska native Sydney Loofe was looking for love, or at least for some fun, while scrolling through Tinder back in 2017.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The drums are constantly switching, the gait galloping one way and then swerving back again, as if the music could go anywhere.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sternward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sternward. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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