inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·ward ˈin-wərd

Synonyms of inward

: situated on the inside : inner

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

: marked by close acquaintance : familiar

: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·ward ˈin-wərd

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz

: toward the inside, center, or interior

: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

: something that is inward

inwards ˈin-ərdz -wərdz plural : innards

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective moved towards the inward room for more privacy he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet Adverb The window faces inward toward the courtyard. He turned his attention inward. Noun the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

Carriers would have to submit the tracking number on the inward manifest as well. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 The Parthenon’s columns famously have a slight inward tilt toward the roof and bulge at the center, which some people theorize balances out the curved stylobate. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Italy’s inward cinema, TV and video-on-demand sectors content investment fell in 2025 for the first time since 2018, the annual APA report released at the MIA Market in Rome indicated. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The fabric folds inward, sinks toward the earth and spreads across the grass. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

This setup incorporates a proprietary set of grips, each one of which has an internal metal bolt running lengthwise from the outside end of the grip inwards. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 His comments follow the MIA Market opening with calls by European Commission and European producers for more inwards investment in homegrown projects to help compete against major studios and streamers active in Europe. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inward

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of inward was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Inward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inward. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective

in·ward ˈin-wərd

: situated on the inside : inner

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

an inward peace

: directed toward the interior

an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz

: toward the inside, center, or interior

: toward the mind or spirit

inward

adjective

adverb

noun

Synonyms of inward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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