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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Starting as a minimalist two-seater, the Slate Truck can be transformed into a five-seat SUV with an add-on kit that includes rear seats, a roll cage and airbags. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025 Hours later at the hospital, police found Williams, 21, in the front passenger seat with gunshot wounds to his head and torso and Thomas, 19, in the right rear passenger seat with gunshot wounds to the back and head. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Noun
Another delight for visitors can be found in the rear of the manor house where lookouts provide scenic views of Lake Siljan. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 The paramedic pulled Hoffman from the rear of the ambulance. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Ferrari’s unhealthy reputation for muddling their decisions looked to have been eradicated last year in Fred Vasseur’s first season as team principal, but the issue has reared its head again over the opening two races of 2025. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Investments in people: The perception problem continues to rear its head in our industry. —Ethan Karp, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 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
  • Prosecutors say Dugan escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a back jury door on April 18 after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the courthouse seeking his arrest.
    — Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • One of the first Georgians to enroll in the program in 2023, Seaborn had written a letter thanking his insurance provider for covering a procedure for his back pain.
    — Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 14 May 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • As the final seats are allocated and the center-right Liberal Party surveys the damage – including the loss of its leader, Peter Dutton, from parliament – here are five takeaways.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • On the other hand, Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence took back seats at different times.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • The order governs Title VII, though could be influential on disparate claims raised by other civil rights laws.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 May 2025
  • The state suspended the grocery tax for fiscal year 2022 to help fight rising inflation, but municipal leaders say losing the stream of revenue permanently forces them to consider cutting services, raising sales or property taxes, or implementing a local grocery tax.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Moscow also announced that monuments in Russia's Kursk region would be erected in honor of North Korea's soldiers fighting against Ukraine.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • The marble memorial featuring the names of the 56 football fans who died in the fire was erected as part of these 2001 developments.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • So, nix that step by building a home gym that makes squeezing in a HIIT class first thing in the morning, a treadmill run at lunch or a yoga session on the fly much more doable.
    — Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • But it’s also used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, from building materials to paints and plastics.
    — Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • All three were still actively growing, Ramsay said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • There is growing evidence of the harms of work reporting requirements including cutting off access to health care, driving up uninsured rates, increasing the burden of medical debt, and a range of other adverse consequences.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • The shark skin can be applied to an aircraft’s fuselage, wings, and tail, and could improve efficiency up to 4 percent, according to Micro Tau estimates.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 May 2025
  • Lose a tail and stem cells in the spinal cord sync up like an orchestra, accelerating their division in unison to rebuild the missing structure.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • This not only ensures a steady income stream but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty among your clients.
    — Doaa K. Darwish, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • The installation, as a whole, fosters a similar shift in perception.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Definition of foster

Phrases Containing rear

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reaps
rear
reared
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Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rear

Nglish: Translation of rear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rear

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