upward

American  

[uhp-werd] / ˈʌp wərd /

adverb

1. toward a higher place or position.

   The birds flew upward.

2. toward a higher or more distinguished condition, rank, level, etc..

   His employer wishes to move him upward in the company.

3. to a greater degree; more.

   fourscore and upward.

4. toward a large city, the source or origin of a stream, or the interior of a country or region.

   They followed the Thames River upward from the North Sea to London.

5. in the upper parts; above.

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adjective

1. moving or tending upward; directed at or situated in a higher place or position.

idioms

1. upwards of, more than; above.

   My vacation cost me upwards of a thousand dollars.

upward British  

/ ˈʌpwəd /

adjective

1. directed or moving towards a higher point or level

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adverb

1. a variant of upwards

Other Word Forms

• upwardly adverb
• upwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of upward

before 900; Middle English; Old English upweard (cognate with Dutch opwaart ). See up-, -ward

Example Sentences

Then energy costs climbed as a result of the war in Iran, putting upward pressure on inflation fears and then mortgage rates.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Then comes lift, like lemon zest, a splash of vinegar, something to pull everything upward.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

“Not only does it indicate Intel was in a financial position to buy back this stake, it is also accretive to earnings which should cause upward revisions to estimates,” he said in emailed comments.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Since the yen is currently weaker than that, profit expectations could be revised upward if the currency remains near current levels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The badger held two teacups, thrusting them upward.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• higher
• skyward
• uphill