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
The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Job growth was revised downward by 911,000 from April to March.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
While Manning's draft stock is clearly on a downward trajectory, others like Miami's Carson Beck and Oklahoma's John Mateer are now being mentioned as potential fast risers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
As the plant grows, the roots reach downward toward the water.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Job growth was revised downward by 911,000 from April to March.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Third-quarter earnings forecasts have actually risen over the course of the quarter, defying the normal downward-revision routine.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
While Manning's draft stock is clearly on a downward trajectory, others like Miami's Carson Beck and Oklahoma's John Mateer are now being mentioned as potential fast risers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 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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