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
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
Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
With hiring tracking downward, unemployment has risen particularly fast among those with less experience, so while America’s overall unemployment rate has sat around 4%, those in the 16 to 19 age bracket are contending with a 14% rate, while 19 to 24-year-olds average around 9%.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
Ella Graveney, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
As a result, economists may be cautious about interpreting the report as clear evidence that inflation is on a sustained downward path, given the absence of an October comparison.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
The first symptoms are followed by a rash that starts on the face and moves downward, according to officials.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
With hiring tracking downward, unemployment has risen particularly fast among those with less experience, so while America’s overall unemployment rate has sat around 4%, those in the 16 to 19 age bracket are contending with a 14% rate, while 19 to 24-year-olds average around 9%.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
New or returning fashion trends, like peplum tops and skinny jeans, that many believe reflect a downward economic spiral.
—Ella Graveney, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
As a result, economists may be cautious about interpreting the report as clear evidence that inflation is on a sustained downward path, given the absence of an October comparison.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
Cite this Entry
“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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