out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd 
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
variants
or outwards
1
: toward the outside
2
obsolete
: on the outside : externally
: external form, appearance, or reality
Examples of outward in a Sentence
Adjective
They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.
She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.
To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.
outward symptoms of the disease
The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.
He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.
Adverb
The window faces outward toward the street.
Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.
air flowing outwards from the lungs
Noun
never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior
Recent Examples on the Web
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Of special concern is outward domestic migration and the growing reluctance of U.S. residents to move here because of the high cost of living.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
John Samuels, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The connective tissue among staff that’s been around a long time and builds those connections outward.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Aurora, on the other hand, was built for looking outwards.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
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Adjective
Based on Madhuri Shekar’s play, A Nice Indian Boy stars Soni as Naveen Gavaskar, a gay Indian-American doctor who has never brought a boyfriend home, despite his parents and sister’s outward acceptance of him.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Of special concern is outward domestic migration and the growing reluctance of U.S. residents to move here because of the high cost of living.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Adverb
But when that support becomes unsustainable, the impact ripples outward.
—John Samuels, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The connective tissue among staff that’s been around a long time and builds those connections outward.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Each data center is represented as a point, and groups of points have been expanded outwards to avoid overlaps and show where there's large numbers of data centers.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Aurora, on the other hand, was built for looking outwards.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outward. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outward
1 of 2 adjective
out·ward
ˈau̇t-wərd
1
: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center
an outward flow
2
: showing on the outside
outward signs of fear
outward
2 of 2 adverb
variants
or outwards
: toward the outside
the city stretches outward for miles
fold it outward
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