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
  • Nothing about them has changed, but since the back half of 2024, when two of the sport’s highest-profile players were sanctioned for breaching them, the anxiety players feel has intensified.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • With overseas ballots still to be counted and four seats undecided, Chega could overtake the Socialist Party and become the official opposition.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2025
  • One fan scatters his dad’s ashes underneath his seat.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • Barrera also supports raising taxes on California’s highest earners, those who make more than $1 million per year, in order to invest the revenue in K-12 schools, expanded early childhood education and affordable and accessible higher education.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • The meeting got heated when commissioners discussed ending alcohol sales earlier — an ongoing conversation for nearly two years — and raising fees for businesses who don’t comply with the city’s noise ordinance.
    — Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • In this way, a fence was erected, but purely for certain people.
    — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
  • These weren’t hastily erected barracks or rows of identical homes.
    — Eran Ben-Joseph, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of build
Verb
  • All three were still actively growing, Ramsay said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Yes, work for better child care and parental leave, which is essential for those who choose to have children, but respect the growing numbers of men and women who are making other choices.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • Nobody’s going to beat you the last 150 meters, the Denver East senior assured herself, as Lakewood’s Eliana Angelino rode her tail.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • But a clear victory for democracy in Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people, carried a sting in its tail.
    — Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • Also unique to its program, the AI Workshop offers what every parent needs today, such as guidelines and best practices for integrating AI technology as well as an entire lesson dedicated to the importance of fostering creativity.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The ostensible target of the purge are books fostering an ideology of racial preference or DEI, but the relation of this endeavor to national defense is, to say the least, tenuous.
    — George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 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 25 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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