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upward

upward

56 1.1
Pointing or moving toward something higher
  • adjective
  • /ˈʌpwərd/
translation icon : ascendente
  • The balloon floated upward into the sky.
  • upward mobility
  • upward trend
  • upward movement

So I just kind of do upward motions.

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Examples

  • And it would propel a spacecraft upward and eventually reach space.

  • And indeed, it does put some upward pressure on wages.

  • It's aimed in an upward direction.

  • In particular, the figure shows an upward trend for all groups.

    Academic text (2011)
  • With continued help from current members, this upward trend should continue this year and into the millennium.

    Academic text (1999)
  • While heavier objects require an upward force called lift to stay aloft.

  • A generational yardstick is needed to fully address the positive impact of upward economic mobility across generations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The sun fills the cone of his upward sight, expanding without heat.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • She pointed upward to the stars as we lay on the grass.

  • The mountain trail leads upward towards the summit.

Synonyms

up
vsupward
1.0

In a higher place or moving to a higher level

is a shorter more general form used commonly for direction
upwards
vsupward
56 1.0

Moves toward a higher place, level, or amount

is broader adding pointing or direction as well as motion
rising
vsupward
41 3.4

An upward movement to a higher position

highlights gradual increase as a process rather than only direction
uphill
vsupward
20 2.5

Going toward the top of a hill or road

describes general movement to a greater level not only slope direction
skyward
vsupward
11 3.2

Pointing or moving up toward the sky

points to direction toward the atmosphere or open air not general elevation
upwardly
vsupward
8 4.1

In a direction from a lower to a higher level or showing improvement

focuses on physical direction not social improvement or status change
higher up
vsupward
3 3.2

At or towards a place above something

is about general movement toward a greater level rather than exact placement
heavenward
vsupward
  • Literature
3 5.9

In a direction up toward the sky or heaven, often with a spiritual meaning

adds a spiritual or religious sense rather than only physical direction
ascending
vsupward
3.5

Going up to a higher place or level

emphasizes gradual progress to higher levels rather than simple direction
upslope
vsupward
3.8

In the direction going up a hill or slope

is specific to hill or incline direction not general elevation
upsloping
vsupward
4.6

Rising from a lower to a higher point, as in a path or trend

highlights steady incline or gradual increase not only simple directional movement

Antonyms

51 1.0

Toward a lower place or level

Compounds

A situation that keeps getting better over time

How Upward

vertical
100 2.7
ascending
3.5
upward
56 1.1
sloping
3.1
level
1.0
downward
51 1.0

Surface Forms

upward positive
upwards positive

Morphology

upward = (transparent) = up + ward

Formed by adding the productive directional suffix '-ward' to 'up', giving a clear adjectival meaning of 'toward a higher place'. [Postprocessing: moved 'up' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Upward is simply up + -ward, where up means 'higher' and -ward means 'towards', like in forward. So, as an adjective it describes something that points or moves toward a higher place or level.