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Synonyms

inward

American  
[in-werd] / ˈɪn wərd /

adverb

  1. toward the inside, interior, or center, as of a place, space, or body.

  2. into or toward the mind or soul.

    He turned his thoughts inward.

  3. Obsolete.

    1. on the inside or interior.

    2. in the mind or soul; mentally or spiritually.


adjective

  1. proceeding or directed toward the inside or interior.

  2. situated within or in or on the inside; inner; internal.

    an inward room.

  3. pertaining to the inside or inner part.

  4. located within the body.

    the inward parts.

  5. pertaining to the inside of the body.

    inward convulsions.

  6. inland.

    inward passage.

  7. mental or spiritual; inner.

    inward peace.

  8. muffled or indistinct, as the voice.

  9. private or secret.

  10. closely personal; intimate.

  11. Archaic. pertaining to the homeland; domestic.

noun

  1. the inward or internal part; the inside.

  2. inwards, the inward parts of the body; entrails; innards.

inward British  
/ ˈɪnwəd /

adjective

  1. going or directed towards the middle of or into something

  2. situated within; inside

  3. of, relating to, or existing in the mind or spirit

    inward meditation

  4. of one's own country or a specific country

    inward investment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. a variant of inwards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the inward part; inside

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of inward

before 900; Middle English; Old English inweard. See in, -ward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead, members sit together in silence to listen for the "Inward Light."

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2021

When he realized he was becoming Mr. “Take One for the Team,” King was initially worried that his company, Inward Point, might take a hit.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2019

A version of this review appears in print on January 27, 2014, on page C6 of the with the headline: Looking Inward, And Finding Inspiration.

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2014

"Inward investment projects coming to Scotland are at their highest level for 15 years," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2013

“They grow where the wind dropped the ashes of burning Ilien, when Erreth-Akbe defended the Inward Isles from the Firelord.”

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

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