out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd 
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
variants
or outwards
1
: toward the outside
2
obsolete
: on the outside : externally
: external form, appearance, or reality
Synonyms
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
Sean Gregory / Paris, TIME, 30 July 2024
Alzheimer's, which is expected to affect 14 million Americans by 2060, starts decades before outward signs are indicated.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 29 July 2024
Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024
There's a shrinking pool of farm workers, land is expensive in a fast-growing region where development continues to sprawl outward, and the area has grown hotter and faced drought in recent years.
—Megan Stringer, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024
Heather Lanier, Longreads, 10 Jan. 2023
As mayor of Shanghai in 1985-89, Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for outward 
Adjective
Many rivalries are quieter: athletes display outward respect and admiration for each other and do most of their talking on the track (or field).
—Sean Gregory / Paris, TIME, 30 July 2024
Alzheimer's, which is expected to affect 14 million Americans by 2060, starts decades before outward signs are indicated.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 29 July 2024
Adverb
Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 175 miles from the center of the storm, which has led to persistent rainfall across the Southeast even as the storm churns in the warm Atlantic waters.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024
There's a shrinking pool of farm workers, land is expensive in a fast-growing region where development continues to sprawl outward, and the area has grown hotter and faced drought in recent years.
—Megan Stringer, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024
Noun
Here’s something that borders on miraculous but that scientists in California confirm: The heart emits a magnetic field expanding outward in all directions and returning to the chest in a donut shape.
—Heather Lanier, Longreads, 10 Jan. 2023
As mayor of Shanghai in 1985-89, Jiang impressed foreign visitors as a representative of a new breed of outward-looking Chinese leaders.
—Joe McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for outward
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outward.' 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 outward
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outward. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
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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