1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inward peace
b
: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
3
: marked by close acquaintance : familiar
4
: directed toward the interior
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the inner being
Synonyms
Examples of inward in a Sentence
Adjective
moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet
Adverb
The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.
Noun
the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards
Recent Examples on the Web
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
The series renders the potentially odd and inward aspects of fantasy salable—paranormals are just like contemporary humans, with familiar psychologies, politics, and value systems.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
As Mercury enters Pisces and your fourth house of home and family on Feb. 14, followed by the sun on the 18th, your focus turns inward, bringing a desire to create a sense of emotional security and comfort.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Liz Kislik, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts.
—Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for inward 
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Adjective
All of the above? Lin, with his large-canvas filmmaking experience, has chosen not to make this just an inward character study but also a surprisingly commercial adventure film that spans the globe, as Chau did, in search of excitement, as well as to find his true calling along the way.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
The series renders the potentially odd and inward aspects of fantasy salable—paranormals are just like contemporary humans, with familiar psychologies, politics, and value systems.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Negative thinking focuses all our thoughts and energy inward which in turn creates a small and narrow focus.
—Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
As Mercury enters Pisces and your fourth house of home and family on Feb. 14, followed by the sun on the 18th, your focus turns inward, bringing a desire to create a sense of emotional security and comfort.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Relationship Rules Simply providing typical leadership development is insufficient to shift from an inward to an outward perspective.
—Liz Kislik, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts.
—Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for inward
Dictionary Entries Near inward
Cite this Entry
“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the mind or spirit
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