rear 1 of 3

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rear

2 of 3

noun

rear

3 of 3

verb

1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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
Notable exterior changes include new lights, grilles, roof racks, rear spoilers and wheels. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025 Accessories like panniers, a trailer, a phone holder, and rear-view mirrors are also available as optional extras. New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The glass insert on the rear remains as orange as ever, but most of the aluminum frame is now a rose gold hue. PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025 The latter inform the entryway to the space while the keel shape appears at the rear of the store as an installation. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
In exchange for insider intel, Perfidia was offered witness protection, but fled for Mexico and hasn’t reared her head since. Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 If the team is reeling and injuries are rearing their ugly head once again, leading to a disappointing record, then there’s a chance because only a select player or two are untouchable. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear
Adjective
  • Starting place kicker Matt Gay was ruled out for the primetime contest with a back injury, clearing the way for the addition of veteran kicker Matthew Wright.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The flatter, lighter option is great for back sleepers or those who tuck their arms underneath their pillow.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Every backpack has its own unique features—some can fit snuggly under a plane seat, while others come in a water-resistant and lightweight material.
    Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Their seats were in front of the legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s lack of specifics on his new 10% Canada tariff raised key questions for Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Owsley Brown Frazier, a fourth-generation descendant of George Garvin Brown, alone raised more than $500 million in his lifetime.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The end of a building erected in the 1940s?
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Louisiana's governor on Monday night called on the state's largest university to erect a statue memorializing Charlie Kirk.
    Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lea has built a culture of belief while competing against programs with more resources.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The discovery of the body reinvigorated the investigation, with prosecutors previously building their case against Barry before Suzanne's body had been discovered.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The second photo was noticeably different from the first, instead showing a recent image of heavy machinery smoothing gravel where lush green grass once grew.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Subscription and licensing revenue grew 3 percent in the latest quarter to $493 million owing to growth in ViX’s premium tier and higher content licensing revenue.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But despite how intertwined the two appear in the photo, Masi writes, the coiling afterglow of the meteor is actually quite far from the tail of Comet Lemmon.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Near the tail-end of NFL Week 8, the Green Bay Packers humbled Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, 35-25.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But fostering creativity, curiosity, and empathy are also essential for organizations to remain competitive and resilient.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
  • For example, address personal medical risks and goals with specific preventive steps, such as fostering meaningful relationships to reduce stress or adopting a heart-healthy diet to reduce the risk of heart disease.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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