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Definition of southward

southward

/ˈsaʊθ.wɚd/
south · ward
Adverb:southward
•
Adjective:southward
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southward Lexical Profile

southward Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Toward the south; in a southerly direction.

Example

"The river flows southward through the fertile valley before emptying into the gulf."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Moving, facing, or situated toward the south.

Example

"The migratory birds began their long southward journey in late autumn."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A southward direction, point, or region.

Example

"Heavy storm clouds were gathering to the southward of the coastal town."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

As an adverb, "southward" and "southwards" are interchangeable, though "southward" is preferred in American English and "southwards" is more common in British English; as an adjective, only "southward" is used.

• Nearby Words

southland
southmost
southpaw
southward
southwardly
southwest
southwesterly

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English sūthweard, formed from sūth ("south") and the directional suffix -weard ("toward").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Southward. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/southward
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