onward

1 of 2

adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd How to pronounce onward (audio)
ˈän-
variants or less commonly onwards
ˈȯn-wərdz How to pronounce onward (audio)
ˈän-
Synonyms of onwardnext
: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

onward

2 of 2

adjective

: directed or moving onward : forward

Synonyms of onward

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of onward in a Sentence

Adverb They have lived in that house from 1983 onward. we must continue to move onward, or we will die in this desert
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.
Adverb
Senegal scored four unanswered goals from that point onward. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026 The engine rumbles between your legs, the road streams beneath you, the curves beckon you onward. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Adjective
Our understanding right now is that the morale has improved because the ship is moving and plans are being made to get them safely to shore and for their onward journey home. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 May 2026 There were signs of disconnection as stray passes failed to find a blue shirt, the most obvious example being Erin Cuthbert hoping to hit an onward runner from a free kick, only for the ball to go straight out of play. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onward

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onward was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing onward

Browse Nearby Words

on waivers
onward
onward and upward
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onward. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

onward

1 of 2 adverb
on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd How to pronounce onward (audio)
ˈän-
variants also onwards
-wərdz How to pronounce onward (audio)
: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward
kept moving onward

onward

2 of 2 adjective
: directed or moving onward
the onward march of time

More from Merriam-Webster on onward

Nglish: Translation of onward for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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