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

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

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
Drone warfare blurs traditional front lines The rapid spread of inexpensive drones has increasingly blurred traditional front lines, putting even rear-area bases at risk. —Chris Boccia, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 Avoid jerking your torso up and down during bent-over rows or swinging your arms during front, lateral, and rear raises. —Jenessa Connor, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The front of the house presents a solid, brick-heavy facade, while the rear opens up with full-height glass walls that frame views of the gardens. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026 This is where the idea of revenge rears its head. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
As of late, the bad possessions are rearing their ugly head. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026 The bigger rub with the realignment rears its head in the individual tournament. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026 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
  • Ryan was originally slated to be part of Team USA’s rotation, but he was scratched from his first spring start due to lower back inflammation and held out of pool play entirely.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The back half of the store, however, is where the fun really begins.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • After winning a landslide victory earlier this year that put her Liberal Democratic Party in the driver’s seat, Takaichi now needs to deliver on the fundamental, kitchen-table issues facing the Japanese economy.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The couple are some of the first to take their seats 20 minutes before the telecast starts.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of seat
Verb
  • Moïse, who said she was born and raised in Haiti and had lived at the family home since 2015, described having as many as 30 to 50 guards around the home at all times.
    — Tania Francois, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Another audience member sensitively played Sam, the narrator’s love of his life, a relationship that reveals the long-term toll of being raised by a parent suffering from suicidal depression.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The group is also said to be digging tunnels, building bunkers, and erecting barriers and other defensive structures in case of an attack by the United States and Israel.
    — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In 2014, Bolsonaro, then just a congressman, spit on a bust of Paiva erected to honor his memory during the coup’s 50th anniversary in Congress.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • When it was built, the mall was part of a trend among commercial builders to create mini downtowns for cities that lacked them.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Delicious food all around, but perhaps not coherent enough to build a nation on.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • California and the nation as a whole has recently experienced a growing measles outbreak, with 29 cases reported in California and more than 1,300 nationwide.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Recent conflicts highlight the growing role of drones in combat.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of grow
Noun
  • Austen is not far behind him, but Salley is hot on his tail, yelling at him to come back into the party.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Hours later, an inspection of a helicopter that responded to the shooting call at Byers’ home revealed a bullet had pierced the tail.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of tail
Verb
  • Throughout the documentary, which features talking head commentary, copious archival footage (even as kids, Mayeri and Hall adored recording their antics on home video), and new interviews, the X-Cetra gals speak openly and honestly about their friendships and the early years that fostered them.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, Grand Rapids has a long history of fostering furniture innovation and even earned the nickname Furniture City.
    — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.

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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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