DOWNWARDS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does downwards mean? 

• DOWNWARDS (adverb)
  The adverb DOWNWARDS has 1 sense:

1. spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position

  Familiarity information: DOWNWARDS used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DOWNWARDS (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position

Synonyms:

down; downward; downwardly; downwards

Context example:

prices plunged downward

Antonym:

upwards (spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position)

 Context examples 

“Well has the holy Chrysostom termed them radix malorum. From Eve downwards, what good hath come from any of them? Who brings the plaint?”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end towards the earth, the island descends; but when the repelling extremity points downwards, the island mounts directly upwards.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The rough roadway still led downwards; we could trace it through the drifted snow.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

If there were some central peak it would be different, but it all slopes downwards, so far as we can see.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At Kimberham Bridge the carriage-lamps were all lit, and it was wonderful, where the road curved downwards before us, to see this writhing serpent with the golden scales crawling before us in the darkness.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The ebb had already run some time, and I had to wade through a long belt of swampy sand, where I sank several times above the ankle, before I came to the edge of the retreating water, and wading a little way in, with some strength and dexterity, set my coracle, keel downwards, on the surface.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

His plumed helmet was carried behind him by his body-squire, and his head was covered by a small purple cap, from under which his snow-white hair curled downwards to his shoulders.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He moved downwards in a sidelong way, some hundred feet down, and a good deal to the left.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

At Hand Cross we caught a glimpse of the old landlord, hurrying out with his gin and his gingerbread; but the dip of the ground was downwards now, and away we flew as fast as eight gallant hoofs could take us.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the horizon, the island stands still; for in that case the extremities of it, being at equal distance from the earth, act with equal force, the one in drawing downwards, the other in pushing upwards, and consequently no motion can ensue.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)