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
a
: directed toward or situated in a higher place or level : ascending
an upward movement/flow
b
: directed toward the top (as of a piece of paper)
an upward stroke of the pen
c
: marked by an increase
an upward revision of the employment figures
2
: rising to a higher pitch
Her words had an upward inflection.
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
Trân Nguyễn, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That water is heated by magma below and shoots back upward, bringing with it precious minerals such as copper, zinc and gold, along with the iron and sulfur found in the snail’s shell.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Furthermore, recent upward revisions to earnings estimates indicate that analysts are recognizing the company's operational efficiency.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for upward
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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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Adverb
Nonpartisan budget analysts previously projected the state will see budget holes upward of $20 billion each year in the next few years.
—Trân Nguyễn, Fortune, 15 May 2026
That water is heated by magma below and shoots back upward, bringing with it precious minerals such as copper, zinc and gold, along with the iron and sulfur found in the snail’s shell.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Higher freight rates on the trans-Pacific and Asia-to-Europe trade routes are continuing to bring upward pressure to the wider container market as the situation at the Strait of Hormuz forces carriers to rethink network planning and operational decisions worldwide.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Furthermore, recent upward revisions to earnings estimates indicate that analysts are recognizing the company's operational efficiency.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for upward
Cite this Entry
“Upward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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