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
Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
When Sage releases that water, the pressure from underground shoots it upward, and the heat creates vapors that spin turbines and crank out electricity.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Despite this upward trajectory, the industry faced challenges in 2024 due to adverse weather conditions, leading to heavy crop losses.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upward
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Adverb
Current world championship leader Lando Norris has typically celebrated his podiums by banging the base of the bottle on the step of the podium, causing the champagne to shoot upward into the sky.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
When Sage releases that water, the pressure from underground shoots it upward, and the heat creates vapors that spin turbines and crank out electricity.
—Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The company's stock dipped during Trump's announcement but has essentially seen an upward pattern since, reaching $27.49 a piece for a share earlier today.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Despite this upward trajectory, the industry faced challenges in 2024 due to adverse weather conditions, leading to heavy crop losses.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 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 9 Apr. 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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