sternwards
Toward the rear
Sternwards means toward the stern—the rear of a ship or boat.
The word appears almost exclusively in nautical contexts: The cargo shifted sternwards during the storm.
Sternward serves the same function and is slightly more common.
Vessel's rear area
- rearwardToward the back
- abaftToward a vessel's rear
- aleeSheltered from wind
- helmVessel's steering mechanism
rudder · tiller · quarterdeck · poop deck · transom · fantail · wake · counter
Toward what's behind
tailward · reverse · retreat · recede · posterior · aft · hind · opposite
Aid or sponsorship
- reversingGoing in opposite direction
- retreatingMoving back from advance
- recedingMoving away from observer
- withdrawingRemoving or pulling away
retracing · returning · regressing · retrograde · recoiling
aft
Vessel's rear area
helm · rudder · tiller · quarterdeck · poop deck · transom · fantail · wake · counter · propeller
backward
Toward what's behind
behind · tailward · reverse · retreat · recede · posterior · aft · hind · opposite · away
backing
Aid or sponsorship
- reversingGoing in opposite direction
- retreatingMoving back from advance
- recedingMoving away from observer
withdrawing · retracing · returning · regressing · retrograde · recoiling