down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd 
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
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
Alain Sherter, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
For the first time in over a decade, adult obesity rates in the U.S. may be trending downward, with numbers dropping slightly from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum in December 2024.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Within that time frame, the stock is down 10% from when the 40-day kickoff began on March 5, accelerating an ongoing downward trend in its stock price since late 2024.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
President Trump's announcement of steep tariffs on Wednesday shocked investors and sent economists scurrying to revise downward their forecasts for U.S. economic growth.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
For the first time in over a decade, adult obesity rates in the U.S. may be trending downward, with numbers dropping slightly from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum in December 2024.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The Democrats’ pessimism comes as the party confronts a downward trend in its approval as well as a general lack of unity following the 2024 presidential election.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Within that time frame, the stock is down 10% from when the 40-day kickoff began on March 5, accelerating an ongoing downward trend in its stock price since late 2024.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
Cite this Entry
“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downward
1 of 2 adverb
down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd
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
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