upward 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of upwardnext
as in upper

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

upward

2 of 2

adverb

variants or upwards
as in skyward

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of upward
Adjective
In fact, the Federal Reserve hiked rates last month and is likely to raise them further as the resilient economy keeps upward pressure on prices. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 In theory, an onrush of investment in activities like chip manufacturing and data center construction could put upward pressure in general on consumer prices, unless the demand is offset by a new supply of goods and services. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Rich Greenfield, the LightShed analyst, believes Netflix has committed upward of $1 billion on creator and podcast programming over the next three years (still, admittedly, a very small slice of its $20 billion annual content budget). — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 This rapid movement pushes against the ground, sending the robot upward and forward. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upward
  1. upper
  2. skyward
  3. uppermost
  4. above
  5. topmost
  6. overhead
  7. uplifted
Adjective
  • On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 upper floors under construction.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of upper
Adverb
  • Powerus says this arrangement keeps the antenna pointed skyward as the aircraft changes orientation during its transition to forward flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • As the first-stage booster separated from the cargo Dragon spacecraft, the light show began unfolding not only over the Space Coast, but for those who looked skyward hundreds of miles away.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of skyward
Adjective
  • The news comes as the streamer cuts from its uppermost ranks and implements layoffs that will affect roughly 1,000 people, the company’s biggest cut since 2022.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lake Mead's dropping level exposed Las Vegas' uppermost drinking water intake.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of uppermost
Adverb
  • But the bigger concern was inside, where two steel columns had buckled on the 21st floor, causing floors above to sag.
    — Aziza Shuler, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But if the other two deals look more enticing, don't worry—this deal stacks with both the Simplicity Plan and myPlan promotions above.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of above
Adjective
  • The solar corona is the topmost layer of the sun’s atmosphere.
    — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • For now, Vans will need to ensure the brand continues to garner brand heat to stay topmost in consumers’ minds.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of topmost
Adjective
  • In addition to being a romantic design choice, using candlelight for dinner parties creates a much warmer and cozier environment than standard overhead lighting.
    — Alexis Berger, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The system lets robots choose suitable movements, such as stepping over objects, ducking under overhead barriers, or turning sideways to pass through narrow gaps.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of overhead
Adjective
  • Located within an uplifted section of oceanic crust known as an ophiolite, the Bulqizë reservoir generates its own continuous supply of clean energy.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This team’s confidence needs to remain uplifted, but that’s going to be monumental task to manage if the blowouts begin the pile up.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of uplifted

Browse Nearby Words

upturns
upward
upwardly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upward. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All