rear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
Definition of rearnext
as in back
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part go to the back of the building and look out the rear window and you'll see the eagle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rear

2 of 3

noun

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
1
as in tail
a behind part or surface the rear of the car was sleekly designed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits fell off her skates onto her rear

Synonyms & Similar Words

rear

3 of 3

verb

ˈrir How to pronounce rear (audio)
1
as in to raise
to bring to maturity through care and education watched a documentary on how wolves rear their young

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position it took all the men in the village to rear the frame for the barn, pulling hard at the ropes until all the sides were standing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials the city has plans for rearing a new convention center over the next two years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care an amateur who rears rare orchids in a professional-grade greenhouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rear contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rear are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and raise. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

When could boost be used to replace rear?

While the synonyms boost and rear are close in meaning, boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for rear?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

In what contexts can heave take the place of rear?

Although the words heave and rear have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When can hoist be used instead of rear?

While in some cases nearly identical to rear, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When might lift be a better fit than rear?

The words lift and rear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When is raise a more appropriate choice than rear?

The words raise and rear can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rear
Adjective
Two suspects were captured on surveillance video breaking a rear window to enter the pharmacy. —Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 12 Aug. 2025 The Zip has a rear propeller to move it fore and aft and side thrusters. —Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Crews responded to the 400 block of Maplewood Avenue around noon on the report of a structure fire and found heavy fire in the rear of the building, according to the Bridgeport Fire Department. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025 Schur did not call police but instead chased the car, firing multiple rounds at its rear, prosecutors said. —Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Depending on the job market, a no in-law clause may negatively impact their ability to work, an issue that could rear its ugly head in a divorce. —Lisa Zeiderman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 That even reared its head Saturday, as Alex Noren stepped onto the 17th tee in a tie for the lead. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear
  1. back
  2. seat
  3. raise
  4. erect
  5. build
  6. grow
  7. tail
  8. foster
Adjective
  • An underrated highlight is a first look at the gold tag on the back collar of Oklahoma City’s uniforms that will be worn this season as reigning champs.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • In addition to a roomy main compartment, this chic and versatile bag also features an interior back zip pocket for items like cash and coins and two interior front pockets for storing quick-access items.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • Now, a major European rail operator, Ireland’s Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), has warned customers that its train inspectors will issue €100 fines for etiquette crimes such as playing music without earphones, vaping and putting bags or feet on seats, The Journal reports.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Freeland gladly accepted the gift, ripping it into the right field seats for his first major-league home run – and the Dodgers’ only hit off Darvish.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • Local organizations and community members in Milwaukee are working to raise funds and support for both Hanan Refugees Relief Group and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.
    — Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Funding and cost increases raise concerns The board told voters that the first phase would not cost more than $17.5 million, according to the suit.
    — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The Haleiwa Hotel was erected at the mouth of the Anahulu River in 1899 and stood there for 44 years, in stark contrast to its rural surroundings.
    — Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The original bronze statue—the first in the world—was erected in 1980 at the same location but was moved indoors in 1996 to the downtown Memphis Tennessee State Welcome Center to protect it from the elements and over-adoring fans.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Lu and his team are building a complete video suite to empower every organization in the world to automate videos—just as office productivity suites empower organizations to automate documents.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The mix of Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival and Prairie-style homes built between the late 1800s and early 1900s remain cultural gems that have benefited from preservation efforts.
    — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Department of Transportation created the classification of low-speed vehicles in 1998 in response to growing public interest in using golf carts to make short trips and conflict over their legality in state, local and federal law.
    — Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Reports were growing more grim, and the body count was rising.
    — Mandi Wright, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • The curve of the Scorpion's back and tail leads to a point near the zenith, and a medium-bright star called Shaula (Lambda Scorpii).
    — Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • These unique squirrels have a speckled brownish gray coat with shorter tails that are not as bushy as the more common fox squirrels.
    — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • Pursuing this goal starts with senior management teams and their commitment to fostering organizational creativity.
    — Merle Symes, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • My husband whiled away the time petting the shop’s playful kitten, just one of the many cats this store has fostered.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Definition of foster

Phrases Containing rear

Browse Nearby Words

reaps
rear
reared
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on rear

Nglish: Translation of rear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Plant Names That Sound Like Insults

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-looking-through-binoculars
Spot Even More Misspelled Words Quiz For people who hate even the ocasional spelling ...
See All