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

Banking and financial services have also faced downward pressure as the conflict heightens global economic uncertainty, and the effects of rising fuel prices filter through the economy at all levels.

From Barron's

CDs can be a good choice for conservative money management, but interest rates are trending downward — you can currently find rates of up to 4.2%.

From MarketWatch

As recently as a few weeks ago, the path looked firmly downward.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several participants said further downward adjustments to rates would likely be appropriate if inflation declines in line with their expectations.

From Barron's

Gold futures resumed their downward momentum after briefly pausing to climb over $4,500 a troy ounce Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• descending
• downwards