downward

1 of 2

adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd 

variants or downwards

ˈdau̇n-wərdz 

1

a

: from a higher to a lower place

b

: toward a direction that is the opposite of up

2

: from a higher to a lower condition

3

a

: from an earlier time

b

: from an ancestor or predecessor

downward

2 of 2

adjective

1

: moving or extending downward

2

: descending from a head, origin, or source

downwardly adverb

downwardness noun

Synonyms of downward

Adverb

• down

Adjective

• bowed
• lowered
• down

Examples of downward in a Sentence

Adverb

The mountain streams flow downward to the lake.

Mud covered his pants from the knees downward.

Adjective

Sales continued their downward trend.

the downward revision of an estimate

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Sound mitigation measures — including berms and acoustic treatment — would be incorporated to control noise levels, and exterior lighting would be shielded and directed downward to prevent glare or spillover into surrounding properties. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Car loan rates, too, have been inching downward. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Mortgage rates have been volatile for the last month as the war in Iran roils the bond market, but lately, home borrowing rates have been on a downward trajectory. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

Once stacking is complete, a compression structure will apply downward precompression to the module stack. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing downward

• downward dog
• downward facing dog
• downward spiral

Kids Definition

downward

1 of 2 adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd 

variants or downwards

-wərdz 

1

: from a higher place or condition to a lower one

2

: from an earlier time

downward

2 of 2 adjective

: moving or reaching down

Legal Definition

downward

1 of 2 adjective

down·​ward

: going from a higher to a lower level

a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines

downward

2 of 2 adverb

: from a higher to a lower level

instead of following the sentencing guidelines, the court departed downward