Moves upward can imply a sense of progress, growth or improvement. Antonyms for this phrase are moves downward, sinks, descends, dives, falls, drops, decreases or declines. These words portray a sense of loss, decline or regression. Moves downward can be associated with negative scenarios such as a plummeting stock market, fall of an aircraft, or a person with a failing health condition. However, there are also positive connotations for the antonyms, for example, a plane descends safely after a talk or gravity causes an athlete to drop to the ground after performing a successful high jump. Ultimately, the meaning of the antonym depends on the context and situation it is used in.