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.
Cook is optimistic about the promise for AI to boost productivity, which in turn will support new jobs and put downward pressure on inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
He expressed concerns that a “massive” amount of capacity coming online between late 2027 and 2028 could be a downward catalyst for memory chips and Micron’s stock.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
The commission predicted growth in 2026 will be 1.1 percent for the European Union as a whole, another downward revision to the previous forecast of 1.4 percent.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Despite several big hits, the average demand for live-action television series set in the galaxy far, far away have shown a slight downward trend over time.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
“They didn’t like the food, I think?” she murmurs, her mouth turning downward.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
