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

The incident comes as gun violence continues to trend downward.

From Los Angeles Times

The mortgage-bond purchases had put downward pressure on mortgage rates, which last month dipped below the key psychological threshold of 6% for the first time in more than three years.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the fourth quarter, the growth adjustment reflected "downward revisions to exports, consumer spending, government spending, and investment," the Commerce Department said.

From Barron's

The downward revision was driven by slower consumer spending and business investment.

From The Wall Street Journal

For NIO, there are indications that downward momentum in the stock is coming to an end.

From Barron's

Related Words

• descending
• downwards