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

There has been a downward trend in the amount of victim-based offences resulting in a charge or summons across England and Wales, according to UK government data.

From BBC

After an initial sideways phase, two-year Treasury yields are likely to resume their downward trend following Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts expected from June onwards, says the head of research at the German bank.

From The Wall Street Journal

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China put downward pressure on markets as investors expect a 25-basis-point rate cut this month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite uncertainty around the details, Goldman Sachs expects downward risks to crude prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

This downward trend in tenure significantly increases pressure on CEOs to focus on short-term results.

From Barron's

Related Words

• descending
• downwards