downward

1 of 2

adverb

down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd How to pronounce downward (audio)
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

downward

2 of 2

adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Even with statistics that show killings and other serious crimes trending downward, recent election results show the public remains concerned about safety — or the perception that cities are unsafe. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024 Among Russell 3000 health care companies, personal security costs actually trended downward from 0.8% in 2018, to 0.5% in 2024, Esgauge data reveals. Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
With gang activity following a general downward trend in crime overall across Los Angeles, there has been growing debate about whether the injunctions still make sense, especially given the past legal challenges. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 While much of the luxury market has faltered in recent years, Hermès is still going strong, bucking the downward trends that other groups have faced. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for downward 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of downward was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near downward

Cite this Entry

“Downward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

downward

1 of 2 adverb
down·​ward ˈdau̇n-wərd How to pronounce downward (audio)
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on downward

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