down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd 
variants
or downwards
1
a
: from a higher to a lower place
b
: toward a direction that is the opposite of up
2
: from a higher to a lower condition
3
a
: from an earlier time
b
: from an ancestor or predecessor
1
: moving or extending downward
2
: descending from a head, origin, or source
downwardly
adverb
downwardness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of downward in a Sentence
Adverb
The mountain streams flow downward to the lake.
Mud covered his pants from the knees downward.
Adjective
Sales continued their downward trend.
the downward revision of an estimate
Recent Examples on the Web
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
The bad news was that its parachute broke away in midair, drifting slowly to the ground as the rocket plummeted downward and landed with a whack.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2024
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 June 2024
The conclusion suggests that officials in Beijing, like their counterparts in Washington, believe that ties between the world’s two largest economies will continue on their long-term downward trajectory despite a recent increase in high-level meetings billed as efforts to manage differences.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward 
Adverb
Biden, 81, appeared hesitant and stammered in some of his answers, his eyes cast downward as Trump castigated him.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
The bad news was that its parachute broke away in midair, drifting slowly to the ground as the rocket plummeted downward and landed with a whack.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2024
Adjective
While that relationship appeared to be mutually beneficial as recently as this year, with the mall retailer’s seemingly downward trajectory, the partnership may not hold fast, according to Peter Cohan, associate professor of management practice at Babson College.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 24 June 2024
The conclusion suggests that officials in Beijing, like their counterparts in Washington, believe that ties between the world’s two largest economies will continue on their long-term downward trajectory despite a recent increase in high-level meetings billed as efforts to manage differences.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near downward
Cite this Entry
“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downward
1 of 2 adverb
down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd
variants
or downwards
1
: from a higher place or condition to a lower one
2
: from an earlier time
downward
2 of 2 adjective
: moving or reaching down
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