1
: situated on the inside : inner
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inward peace
b
: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective
3
: marked by close acquaintance : familiar
4
: directed toward the interior
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the inner being
Synonyms
Examples of inward in a Sentence
Adjective
moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet
Adverb
The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.
Noun
the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards
Recent Examples on the Web
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Emerging medical and life science technologies are helping contribute to an inward evolution.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The swelling presses on the milk ducts, causing the nipple to turn inward.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for inward 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
With her big inward eyes and perpetual glower, Northam effectively conveys Elsa’s restless, blinkered life.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Emerging medical and life science technologies are helping contribute to an inward evolution.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Adverb
For instance, as the sun in Scorpio ignites your 12th house of intuition, healing and spirituality, your focus turns inward for healing and self-reflection, while Saturn retrograde in your fourth house asks you to tend to matters of home and family.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The swelling presses on the milk ducts, causing the nipple to turn inward.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts.
—Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces.
—Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for inward
Dictionary Entries Near inward
Cite this Entry
“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or inwards
1
: toward the inside, center, or interior
2
: toward the mind or spirit
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share