upwards

Meaning

1. Towards a (higher) position closer to the sky than the ground.
2. To a higher figure or amount.
3. Towards something which is higher in order, larger, superior etc.
4. Backwards in time, into the past.
5. To or into later life.

Synonyms

up

🆙

upward

above

on

🔛

upon

over

upwardly

overhead

aloft

high into the air

high up

high

uphill

throw up

upper

upstairs

upstream

up there

high into the sky

in the sky

upward

above-mentioned

ascending

begin

disjunction

from below

heavenward

heavenwards

north

on high

scatter

shorewards

skywards

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʌpwədz/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: upwardes

Inherited from Old English: upweardes

Cognate with Dutch: opwaarts

Cognate with German: aufwärts

In summary

From Middle English upwardes, from Old English upweardes, equivalent to up + -wards. Cognate with Dutch opwaarts (“upwards”), German aufwärts (“upwards”).