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
Jane Bua, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Net losses totaled $256 million, swinging downward from $469 million in net income.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Michael Rombach, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
The most effective lever, the group argues, is deficit reduction — which can ease near-term inflationary pressure, take downward pressure off long-term yields by reducing economic crowding-out, and shrink the debt stock on which the government pays interest.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
The elevator floor lights clicked downward.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Net losses totaled $256 million, swinging downward from $469 million in net income.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
With less competition, and fewer downward pressures on costs, suppliers may choose to exit Massachusetts altogether, further concentrating the market and eliminating the competitive dynamic that has delivered savings for Massachusetts residents for decades.
—Michael Rombach, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
The most effective lever, the group argues, is deficit reduction — which can ease near-term inflationary pressure, take downward pressure off long-term yields by reducing economic crowding-out, and shrink the debt stock on which the government pays interest.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downward
Cite this Entry
“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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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