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

Pollution from U.S. power plants rose last year, a rare uptick in an otherwise long-term downward trend, partly because of more coal being burned to generate electricity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, Lagarde warned that public perception of prices remains higher than official data suggests, adding downward pressure to sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal

He sat up on his tail end, as stiff as a broom handle, with his small front paws bent downward.

From Literature

He noted consumer spending drove 2025 growth, not AI, and rate cuts require clear downward inflation later this year.

From Barron's

He noted consumer spending drove 2025 growth, not AI, and rate cuts require clear downward inflation later this year.

From Barron's

Related Words

• descending
• downwards