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

But the growth of data centers is also putting upward pressure on the price of building materials and electricity and computer chips. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 July 2026 As the wildfire releases large amounts of heat, the air near the ground heats up and rises rapidly, generating a strong upward current. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 29 July 2026

Adverb

Expect to pay upward of $15,000 on the secondary market or around the same at auction. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026 Analysts from the likes of the Metzler Bank in Frankfurt, Bloomberg and JP Morgan reasoned that shareholders could have been disappointed that Puma didn’t adjust its guidance upward, as the company appeared to be on the right track with its reset. — Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upward

Adjective

The second-year midfielder, signed out of Duke before the 2025 season, drove forward with space in front of her before unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area into the upper corner for her first NWSL goal.

— Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Injuries are inevitable, and the Packers have been in the upper half of the NFL in games missed due to injury for three straight seasons.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of upper

Adverb

At least 15 Tigers groundskeepers joined a seventh-inning squirrel chase that spilled into right field, where the critter ran into Leody Taveras’ glove and was accidentally flung skyward.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Starting with a larger supply of radioactive elements, which decay and release heat into the surrounding rock, helped keep the mantle molten and the volcanic gases churning skyward.

— Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of skyward

Adjective

Before this week, Göransson had come very close to entering the uppermost region but had never managed to do so.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will face the greatest risk as the storms skirt the uppermost edge of a heat dome across the Plains and rumble through eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, fueled by ample amounts of heat and humidity.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Definition of uppermost

Adjective

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
The penthouses on the topmost 14th floor can be combined to form a seven-bedroom cluster occupying that entire floor for those looking to max out.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Definition of topmost

Adjective

The large overhead screens were used mainly to highlight Young and, to a much smaller extent, Johnson — rarely even showing the other three musicians (who were huddled way in the back of the stage).

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
This could involve reducing overhead expenses such as duplicative roles, or producing content once and cross-syndicating it across multiple stations.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of overhead

Adjective

But Starbucks has a few months of soft openings under its belt to see how the uplifted stores are performing in Chicago, and Williams said the early returns are promising.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
For those weighed down by adult concerns, watching an episode leaves them feeling uplifted.

— Scot Paltrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of upward

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on upward

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes