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.
As the typical peak of the season has passed and is now on a downward trend until 30 November, a season without a single hurricane is looking increasingly possible.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
“Our view is short-term downward pressure, driven by that thin cushion faced by some homes,” they said noting that around 60% of owner-occupied U.S. homes have a mortgage.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
The financial sector continued its downward slide, bringing its overall slump from a recent peak in May 2025 to 129,000.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
So-called giga-projects, such as the Line and Trojena, have revised their ambitions downward amid the financial realities of a Saudi Arabia under fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
All the blood in Christopher’s body lurched downward.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
