Downward: meaning, definitions and examples

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downward

[ˈdaʊnwərd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

direction

Moving or pointing towards a lower level or in a direction that is lower

Synonyms

descending, falling, lowering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downward	Describing a general direction or movement toward a lower place, position, or condition. The stock prices have been on a downward trend for the past month Her mood took a downward turn after the bad news
descending	Often used in a more formal or technical context to describe something moving or going down from a higher level to a lower one, often in steps or stages. The hikers started descending the mountain at sunrise The staircase is steep and descending it requires caution
lowering	Typically used when talking about actively making something go down, such as reducing a price, temperature, or object. The mechanic was lowering the car onto the ground They are considering lowering the price of the product to attract more customers
falling	Refers to something dropping under the force of gravity, and it can be used both literally and metaphorically. Leaves were falling from the trees as autumn approached The company's profits have been falling for the third consecutive quarter

Examples of usage

The downward trend in the stock market continued for the third consecutive day.
She looked downward to avoid making eye contact with him.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

movement

In a direction from a higher to a lower level

Synonyms

below, down, lower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downward	This repeat of 'downward' might be redundant. It is advisable to consider its context in comparison to 'down' for similar meanings but used in formal contexts. Traveling to a downward path can be challenging A slope going downward requires careful navigation
down	A more general term that can be used for indicating movement from a higher to a lower position, often in a less formal context. She went down the stairs The kids slid down the hill
below	Used to indicate that something is at a lower level but not necessarily moving. It often implies that it is already positioned lower. The basement is below the first floor Temperatures will drop below freezing tonight
lower	Used to describe something situated at a low place or something being moved to a lesser position. The lower shelves are for kids He had to lower the box slowly to avoid dropping it

Examples of usage

She gazed downward from the top of the mountain.
The water flowed downward towards the valley.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

mathematics

A downward movement or trend in a graph or chart

Synonyms

decline, descent, drop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downward	Duplicate word, see above.
decline	Primarily used for situations where there is a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or importance. Often related to health, business, or the economy. There has been a steady decline in customer satisfaction His health began to decline after the surgery
descent	Refers to the act of moving down from a higher position, often used in physical or geographical contexts. It can also describe a moral or social decrease. The airplane began its descent into the airport His descent into addiction was heartbreaking
drop	Often refers to a sudden fall or decrease, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It can have a more informal or everyday usage compared to 'decline' or 'descent'. There was a sudden drop in temperature She accidentally let the vase drop

Examples of usage

The graph showed a significant downward in sales for the past quarter.
The downward of the curve indicated a decrease in temperature.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the combination of 'down' and the suffix '-ward,' meaning direction.
In Old English, the word 'dūne' signified a low or downward place, showing a long history of use in describing movement.
The suffix '-ward' has been used since the 14th century to indicate direction, making 'downward' a compound of direction.

Science

In physics, the concept of downward is crucial in understanding forces, such as gravity, which pulls objects toward the Earth’s center.
In ecology, descriptions of animal movement often include downward trends, such as fish descending to deeper waters during the day.
Meteorologically, downward air currents are essential for understanding weather patterns, like how they influence storm development.

Psychology

Imagining a downward spiral can represent feelings of sadness or depression, where one's mood might drop over time.
In motivational practices, downward thinking might involve focusing on overcoming challenges, using downward movement as a metaphor for release.
Downward comparisons in social psychology describe evaluating oneself against others who are worse off, often affecting self-esteem.

Literature

The theme of downward struggle appears frequently in literature to symbolize loss, despair, or failure.
In poetry, downward imagery is often used to evoke feelings of sadness, portraying characters in decline or loss.
Classic tales often depict a hero's downward journey as a path to self-discovery or redemption.

Pop Culture

In movies, a character going on a 'downward spiral' often signifies their decline or challenges they face, making it a common trope.
Songs such as ‘Downward Spiral’ by Nine Inch Nails use the concept to explore themes of despair and self-destruction.
Television shows often use the phrase 'going downward' to portray characters’ deteriorating situations in both comedic and dramatic contexts.

Translations

Translations of the word "downward" in other languages:

🇵🇹 para baixo

🇮🇳 नीचे की ओर

🇩🇪 nach unten

🇮🇩 ke bawah

🇺🇦 вниз

🇵🇱 w dół

🇯🇵 下へ

🇫🇷 vers le bas

🇪🇸 hacia abajo

🇹🇷 aşağıya doğru

🇰🇷 아래로

🇸🇦 نحو الأسفل

🇨🇿 dolů

🇸🇰 nadol

🇨🇳 向下

🇸🇮 navzdol

🇮🇸 niður

🇰🇿 төмен қарай

🇬🇪 ქვევით

🇦🇿 aşağıya

🇲🇽 hacia abajo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,895, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4892 worried
4893 shipment
4894 conferences
4895 downward
4896 brave
4897 collapse
4898 subscription
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