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
As humans prepare to return to the Moon and journey onward to Mars, even the simple act of swallowing could play a small but important role in whether those missions succeed. — Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 Its preliminary survey will help inform the next visitor, ESA’s Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses); DESTINY+ will then head onward for Phaethon. — Andrew Jones, Scientific American, 30 July 2026
Adjective
Other passengers were later transferred to another flight for their onward journey, according to a statement from Ryanair. — Chris Liakos, CNN Money, 10 July 2026 Alternatively, there is Dublin and Shannon with onward connections via Aer Lingus, and there’s London. — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 23 June 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 6 Aug. 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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