out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd 
1
: moving, directed, or turned toward the outside or away from a center
an outward flow
2
a
: situated on the outside : exterior
b
: able to be seen
outward beauty
no outward evidence of injury
3
: of or relating to appearances rather than to the mind or the inner life
Their marriage was still quite normal to/by/from all outward appearances.
4
: external
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
variants
or outwards
1
: toward the outside
2
obsolete
: on the outside : externally
: external form, appearance, or reality
Examples of outward in a Sentence
Adjective
They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.
She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.
To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.
outward symptoms of the disease
The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.
He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.
Adverb
The window faces outward toward the street.
Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.
air flowing outwards from the lungs
Noun
never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Make sure to cut at an angle just above an outward bud.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
People need a chief who can begin a chapter of outward-facing communication and ease those concerns, Graham said.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
The feet are turned outwards in what specialists call the ‘sumo squat’ position.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
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Adjective
After this, the comet will begin its outward journey.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Make sure to cut at an angle just above an outward bud.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Clam Shell Clam shells target the hip abductors (muscles on the side of the hip) and external rotators (muscles that help the hip joint turn outward).
—Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
People need a chief who can begin a chapter of outward-facing communication and ease those concerns, Graham said.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
In IconArrows pointing outwards Watch Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference here.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
The feet are turned outwards in what specialists call the ‘sumo squat’ position.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outward. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outward
1 of 2 adjective
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
1
: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center
an outward flow
2
: showing on the outside
outward signs of fear
outward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or outwards
: toward the outside
the city stretches outward for miles
fold it outward
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