out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd 
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
variants
or outwards
1
: toward the outside
2
obsolete
: on the outside : externally
: external form, appearance, or reality
Examples of outward in a Sentence
Adjective
They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.
She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.
To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.
outward symptoms of the disease
The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.
He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.
Adverb
The window faces outward toward the street.
Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.
air flowing outwards from the lungs
Noun
never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior
Recent Examples on the Web
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
This volume penetrates that shell to expose a woman entering her elder years as dealing with emergency rooms, hip fractures, vertigo and the necessity to shed the red suede high-heeled shoes and hoop earrings that distinguished her outward style.
—Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
John Samuels, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The connective tissue among staff that’s been around a long time and builds those connections outward.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Aurora, on the other hand, was built for looking outwards.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Nancy Pike Hause, Estes Park Rockies need to look outward for scouting help
Does Bill Schmidt, the Rockies GM, really believe that firing the previous hitting coach and bringing in Clint Hurdle will turn around the team’s pathetic start to the season?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
This volume penetrates that shell to expose a woman entering her elder years as dealing with emergency rooms, hip fractures, vertigo and the necessity to shed the red suede high-heeled shoes and hoop earrings that distinguished her outward style.
—Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adverb
But when that support becomes unsustainable, the impact ripples outward.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The connective tissue among staff that’s been around a long time and builds those connections outward.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Each data center is represented as a point, and groups of points have been expanded outwards to avoid overlaps and show where there's large numbers of data centers.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Aurora, on the other hand, was built for looking outwards.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outward. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outward
1 of 2 adjective
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
1
: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center
an outward flow
2
: showing on the outside
outward signs of fear
outward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or outwards
: toward the outside
the city stretches outward for miles
fold it outward
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