Find Antonyms
toward Antonyms
Opposite of toward
Because the opposite of toward shifts with each meaning, the 16 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• preposition (Context 1)
In the direction of someone or something.
Usage Example
"She walked slowly away from the library entrance as the rain began to fall."
Strongest
away from
from
• preposition (Context 2)
Getting closer to a particular time or state; near or just before.
Usage Example
"The traffic usually clears up past the end of the evening."
Strong
past
after
• adjective (Context 3)
Going on, in progress, or soon to happen (used predicatively, now archaic or literary).
Usage Example
"The villagers gathered in the square, sensing that some great event was past."
Strongest
past
over
Strong
bygone
• adjective (Context 4)
Compliant, docile, or promising (now archaic, contrasted with 'froward' or 'untoward').
Usage Example
"In the old chronicle, the young prince was praised as a froward and dutiful scholar."
Strongest
froward
untoward
wayward
unruly
intractable
Strong
recalcitrant
refractory
disobedient
obstinate
perverse
Similar words to toward
Words similar to toward shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
towards
towardly
afoot
near
regarding
docile
compliant
for
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Toward. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/toward