downward

American  

[doun-werd] / ˈdaʊn wərd /

adverb

1. Also downwards. from a higher to a lower place or condition.

2. down from a source or beginning.

   As the river flows downward, it widens.

3. from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor.

   The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.

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adjective

1. moving or tending to a lower place or condition.

2. descending from a source or beginning.

downward British  

/ ˈdaʊnwəd /

adjective

1. descending from a higher to a lower level, condition, position, etc

2. descending from a beginning

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adverb

1. a variant of downwards

Other Word Forms

• downwardly adverb
• downwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of downward

1150–1200; Middle English dounward, aphetic variant of adounward, Old English adūnweard. See down ¹, -ward

Example Sentences

“So there’s lots of competition and competition for growth should be putting downward pressure on multiples in this cycle,” said Bernstein.

From MarketWatch

Then they faced the door with their feet still on the mat and did something called downward dog, making a triangle with their bodies with their butts as the top point.

From Literature

Zoom in through the dark clouds parting to reveal a figure falling face downward, clearly a female form in stiletto heels descending toward Earth.

From Los Angeles Times

When assets acquire a recurring carrying cost such as a wealth tax, markets reprice them downward.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fertility rate for the United States has long been on a downward trend and is currently at a historic low.

From Salon

Related Words

• descending
• downwards