downward

/'daunwəd/

Thân thiện

He pointed downward at the map on the table.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Moving or pointing towards a lower position or level: Describes something that goes from a higher place to a lower place.
   • Decreasing in amount, value, or quality: Describes a trend or movement that is declining or getting worse.

2. Adverb:

   • Towards a lower place or position: Indicates movement or direction from a higher point to a lower point.
   • Towards a worse or less active state: Indicates a decline or reduction in level, intensity, or condition.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The downward slope of the hill was very steep. (The slope going to a lower level was very steep.)
  • The company reported a downward trend in profits this quarter. (The company reported a declining trend in profits.)

• Adverb:

  • He pointed downward to show us the path. (He pointed towards the lower ground.)
  • Sales have been trending downward for months. (Sales have been moving to a lower level for months.)

Advanced Usage

• "downward spiral": A situation that continuously gets worse.

  • After losing his job, his life went into a downward spiral. (His life entered a continuously worsening situation.)

• "face downward": With the front part of the body or an object facing the ground.

  • The book was lying face downward on the table. (The book was lying with its front cover on the table.)

Variants and Related Words

• Downwards (Adverb): An alternative form of the adverb 'downward', meaning the same.

  • The path led downwards into the valley. (The path led toward a lower level into the valley.)

• Downwardly (Adverb): In a downward direction or manner (less common).

  • The graph extended downwardly. (The graph extended in a downward direction.)

Synonyms

• Descending: Going or moving down.
• Declining: Decreasing in quality, power, or amount.
• Falling: Moving downward, typically rapidly and freely without control.

Antonyms

• Upward: Moving, pointing, or leading to a higher place or level.
• Ascending: Rising or moving upward.

Related Phrases

• Look downward: To direct one's gaze to a lower point.

  • She looked downward to avoid eye contact. (She directed her gaze to a lower point.)

• Move downward: To change position to a lower level.

  • The elevator began to move downward. (The elevator began to go to a lower floor.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. on or toward a surface regarded as a base
   • he lay face downward
   • the downward pull of gravity
2. extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
   • the down staircase
   • the downward course of the stream

Adverb

1. spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
   • don't fall down
   • rode the lift up and skied down
   • prices plunged downward

Từ đồng nghĩa

• downward
• down
• downward
• down
• downwards
• downwardly