variants
or upwards
1
a
: in a direction from lower to higher
the kite rose upward
b(1)
: toward the source (as of a river)
(2)
: toward the interior (as of a region)
c
: in a higher position
held out his hand, palm upward
d
: in the upper parts : toward the head : above
from the waist upward
2
: toward a higher or better condition or level
young lawyers moving upward
3
a
: to an indefinitely greater amount, figure, or rank
from $5 upward
b
: toward a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate
attendance figures have risen upward
4
: toward or into later years
from youth upward
1
: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending
2
: rising to a higher pitch
upwardly
adverb
upwardness
noun
Examples of upward in a Sentence
Adverb
The road gradually rose upward.
She directed my gaze upward.
They are moving upward socially and economically.
moving upward in the corporate world
Adjective
an upward revision of the vote tally
Recent Examples on the Web
Jay Kakade
june 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2025
Moy has plans to grow Rosemead’s collection to upward of 6,000 bottles.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2025
Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
In a slightly more optimistic take, though, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said Monday that the recent upward revision to first-quarter output data could push the figure for 2025 above zero.
—Dave Levinthal, Fortune, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for upward
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Adverb
When light-dependent species are forced upward into a smaller belt near surface waters, the competition for resources and food intensifies and animals are exposed to an elevated risk of predation.
—Jay Kakade
june 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2025
Moy has plans to grow Rosemead’s collection to upward of 6,000 bottles.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2025
Adjective
Establish upward feedback loops, allowing employees to rate their supervisor’s collaboration support.
—Esmt Berlin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
In a slightly more optimistic take, though, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said Monday that the recent upward revision to first-quarter output data could push the figure for 2025 above zero.
—Dave Levinthal, Fortune, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for upward
Cite this Entry
“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upward
2 of 2 adjective
: directed toward or located in a higher place or level : ascending
upwardly
adverb
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