downward

1 of 2

adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd How to pronounce downward (audio)
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

downward

2 of 2

adjective

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
Adverb
Angle them slightly downward to allow water to flow out quickly for a thorough clean. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024 Japan: Shares fall despite blockbuster Tokyo Metro IPO The Nikkei 225 fell 0.80%, led downward by a 4.9% drop in human resources and staffing firm Recruit Holdings. Ian Mount, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
But inactivity can drive a downward cycle that worsens breathlessness and the overall condition. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 This is an improvement from 2023, and the company still has a low average monthly churn, but there are some concerns about a longer-term downward trend amid satellite radio’s aging demographic. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for downward 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downward was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near downward

Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

downward

1 of 2 adverb
down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd How to pronounce downward (audio)
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

Legal Definition

downward

1 of 2 adjective
down·​ward
: going from a higher to a lower level
a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines

downward

2 of 2 adverb
: from a higher to a lower level
instead of following the sentencing guidelines, the court departed downward

More from Merriam-Webster on downward

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