downwardsadverb
uk/ˈdaʊn.wədz/us/ˈdaʊn.wɚdz/mainly UK US usually downwardC1 towards a lower position:
The road slopes gently downwards for a mile or two.
The water filters downwards through the rock for hundreds of feet.
He was lying face downwards on the pavement.
Casualty figures were revised downwards (= reduced) after the war had ended.
Compare
upwards
More examples
- With one wing damaged, the model airplane spiralled downwards.
- To be a good manager, you must know how to devolve responsibility downwards.
- The path slopes gently downwards until it meets the lake.
- You reduce the volume by sliding this lever downwards.
- The sales figures seem to be slipping steadily downwards, which is rather worrying.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Down and downward
- down
- down
- downhill
- downstairs
- downstream
- downward
- fallen
- over
- sunken
- up