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.
That’s 510,000 barrels a day more than its last monthly prediction in July, as elevated fuel prices are putting further downward pressure on oil use.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026
The Dodgers found their way out of their recent downward spiral, though, and that was enough of a relief for their new ace and back-to-back Cy Young winner.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
In addition, May and June payroll numbers were revised downward.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Employment in the financial activities sector continued its downward trend, having lost 121,000 jobs from its May 2025 peak.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
Behind Nessa, fire rushes downward from above, toward our ledge.
From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
