downward
Americanadverb
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Also downwards. from a higher to a lower place or condition.
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down from a source or beginning.
As the river flows downward, it widens.
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from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor.
The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.
adjective
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moving or tending to a lower place or condition.
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descending from a source or beginning.
adjective
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descending from a higher to a lower level, condition, position, etc
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descending from a beginning
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of downward
1150–1200; Middle English dounward, aphetic variant of adounward, Old English adūnweard. See down 1, -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.
“Several” Fed officials said they did not think the current level of interest rates was putting downward pressure on inflation.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026
Airline shares have been on a tear in recent weeks, trading higher with each downward move in the price of crude oil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
Rebuilding the inventories that countries tapped during the conflict should help absorb the flows at first, but producers may face a strong downward pressure on prices later on.
From Barron's • Jul. 5, 2026
The High Court ruled Mahek's "youth and her acknowledged immaturity were given far too little weight", and should have "exerted a substantial downward pressure on the minimum term".
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026
He almost immediately crumpled downward, the effort of the magic draining him of any strength he had left.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
