down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd 
variants
or downwards
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
1
: moving or extending downward
2
: descending from a head, origin, or source
downwardly
adverb
downwardness
noun
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
Natalie Breymeyer, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The share of young adults (age 25 to 34) living with parents has been trending downward since 2020.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
In early March, prices for the nearby May ICE/NY futures contract dipped below the downward sloping channel that has contained values for the past several months.
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
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Adverb
Though deal counts in women's digital health have trended downward since a 2021 peak, the average deal size has become larger, per a new PitchBook report.
—Natalie Breymeyer, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The share of young adults (age 25 to 34) living with parents has been trending downward since 2020.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Breaking the downward pattern that a number of domestic and international festivals have suffered over the past five years or so, Sundance 2024’s total economic impact was up from the $118 million that the 2023 festival brought in.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
In early March, prices for the nearby May ICE/NY futures contract dipped below the downward sloping channel that has contained values for the past several months.
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward
Cite this Entry
“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downward
1 of 2 adverb
down·ward
ˈdau̇n-wərd
variants
or downwards
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
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