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upwards

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈʌpwə^rdz/

-ward - -wards

‘-wards’ in adverbs

-wards is a suffix that forms adverbs showing direction. For example, if you move or look backwards, you move or look in the direction your back is facing. If you move or look northwards, you move or look towards the north.

Ryan walked a couple of steps.

I looked out the window and could see as far as the distant horizon.

She stretched to the cupboard above the sink.

Here are some common adverbs ending in -wards:

backwards	downwards
eastwards	forwards
homewards	inwards
northwards	onwards
outwards	southwards
upwards	westwards

‘-ward’ in adverbs

In American English, and sometimes in British English, -ward is used instead of ‘-wards’ to form adverbs of direction. For example, instead of saying ‘He looked upwards’, American speakers usually say ‘He looked upward’.

I began to climb over the steepest ground.

They marched .

‘-ward’ in adjectives

In both British and American English, -ward is used to form adjectives showing direction. For example, you say ‘a backward glance’ and ‘a homeward journey’. These adjectives are usually used in front of nouns.

There were plans for the expansion of London.

His announcement was followed by silence and downward glances.

She arrived in London and started preparing for her journey to Paris.

Be careful
Both afterwards and afterward are always adverbs, not adjectives. Afterward is more common in American English.

They got married not long afterwards.

I left soon .

➜ See after - afterwards - later

Be careful
Both towards and toward are always prepositions, not adjectives or adverbs.

He saw his mother running towards him.

She glanced the door.

➜ See to

'upwards' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

arise - rise - -ward

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upwards