skyward

adverb

sky·​ward ˈskī-wərd How to pronounce skyward (audio)
Synonyms of skywardnext
1
: toward the sky
2
: upward

Examples of skyward in a Sentence

Everyone looked skyward as the jets passed by.
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.
Across the lot in an unused patch of pavement, pops of bright orange and yellow reach skyward toward the imposing barbed wire that’s laced atop metal security bars. — Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Unlike Webb, which suffered many years of delays before reaching space, Roman arrived at the launch pad nine months before NASA’s commitment to send it skyward by May 2027. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 The airplane lurched skyward, and Elwood was strapped in for the ride. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 The ball caromed off Fermin’s leg and went skyward as Simpson raced home and slid safely in front of Mize’s tag. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skyward

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skyward was in 1655

Browse Nearby Words

skywalk
skyward
sky wave
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skyward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skyward. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

skyward

adverb
sky·​ward ˈskī-wərd How to pronounce skyward (audio)
1
: toward the sky
gaze skyward
2
: to a higher level

More from Merriam-Webster on skyward

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skyward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All