outwards

Away from center

Outwards means toward the outside or away from a center point: The door swings outwards.

It describes direction of movement or orientation: The ripples spread outwards from where the stone hit.

Outwards is more common in British English; Americans typically prefer outward.

Both forms work as adverbs, though only outward serves as an adjective: an outward journey.

external

exterior

Outer portion

outsideBeyond the boundary
outerFarther from the center
peripheralExternal computer add-on

outlying · outermost · outskirts · beyond · surface · outboard · outfield · outpost · externally · outdoor

expansion

spreading

Extending over space

radiatingSending out from center
expandingGrowing in scope
extendingIncreasing in reach

widening · broadening · diffusing · dispersing · scattering · emanating · diverging · branching · proliferating · propagating

protrusion

projecting

Extending outward from surroundings

juttingExtending sharply outward
protrudingExtending outward noticeably
bulgingSwelling outward visibly

extending · poking · thrusting · overhanging · extruding · bellying · obtruding · beetling · protuberant · erupting

direction

outbound

Headed away from origin

awayNot in this location
forthOnward from here
departingIn process of leaving

exiting · receding · retreating · withdrawal · egress · exit · departure · moving away · distancing · leaving

Opposites

direction of movement

outwardsinwards

Toward the interior

inward · in · inwardly · inside · centrally

expansion vs contraction

outwardsinwards

Toward the interior

contracting · converging · imploding · shrinking · collapsing

Family

outward, outwardly, outwardness

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G