UPWARDS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

upward 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of upward

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

Go a little deeper These upward trends in prices aren’t lost on voters. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 Those expectations have pushed bond yields higher, putting upward pressure on mortgage rates. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Adverb

But other groups also stand to be affected by the recent ticks upward in poverty. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026 Some borrowers stick with their ARM even if their rate adjusts upward, said Duane Buziak, a senior mortgage loan advisor with Coast2Coast Mortgage. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upward

Adjective

Scheduled for completion in summer 2027, the expansion will support annual production of up to 150 upper stages.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
First responders took the victim to Fawcett Memorial Hospital with a severe cut measuring four to six inches from his left cheek down to his neck, alongside a minor laceration to his upper chest, police said.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 16 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

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

Style

“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upward. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of upward

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

asunder

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes