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
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Roots will grow downward in the pot, towards that water source, leading to a stronger root system.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Building fewer new homes could bring the U.S. back to the chronic shortage of inventory that has contributed to pushing prices through the roof in the last few years, despite recent progress in the number of listings available on the market, which is putting downward pressure on prices.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
Several album tracks from I’m the Problem are climbing to new peaks across numerous Billboard rosters at the moment while others slip downward.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Roots will grow downward in the pot, towards that water source, leading to a stronger root system.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
Adjective
One or even two pink-collar jobs means a fragile hold in the middle class (at best); the best defense against downward mobility is a blue-collar job, only 17 percent of which are held by women.
—Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Building fewer new homes could bring the U.S. back to the chronic shortage of inventory that has contributed to pushing prices through the roof in the last few years, despite recent progress in the number of listings available on the market, which is putting downward pressure on prices.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 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 20 Jun. 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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