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
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Paul Ridden/New Atlas While many ebikes will provide assist for your outward commute, and possibly back home too, options decrease significantly for weekend trekkers.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles east of the system’s center, according to the NHC.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In IconArrows pointing outwards Want to earn more and grow your money?
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outward
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Adjective
As the book progresses, some of the children in the photographs are older and more in control of their outward expression, but scraps of strangeness or incongruity always peek through.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Paul Ridden/New Atlas While many ebikes will provide assist for your outward commute, and possibly back home too, options decrease significantly for weekend trekkers.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The nebula has been observed shining in radio, X-ray and visible light, as the cloud of stellar material pushed outward by a supernova explosion 10,000 years ago comes into contact with the mass of interstellar gas beyond.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles east of the system’s center, according to the NHC.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
The feet are turned outwards in what specialists call the ‘sumo squat’ position.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
In IconArrows pointing outwards Want to earn more and grow your money?
—Stav Ziv, CNBC, 16 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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