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
Footage showed shots coming from the rear passengers in the vehicle. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 The rear tire plays a different role from its conventional use on roads. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
The doors open sideways to three seats in the rear row and the front passenger seat. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026 On Monday, Haines, 65, was standing at the rear of her parked car, unpacking items from the trunk, when a man driving a Toyota Land Cruiser drove past her before allegedly turning around and ramming her into her vehicle. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Morrison was born in Pittsburgh but reared in Walnut Creek, California, a suburb in the East Bay. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 With American Family Field rocking, Ashby reared back and threw a nasty curve that Díaz tried to hold up on. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 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. aft
  8. tail
Adjective
  • After scoring his second goal of the game, Francis celebrated with a back flip.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • South Metro Fire Rescue crews rushed to a home in Littleton after a truck crashed through the back wall of a garage.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • The results released early Friday showed Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats in Tuesday's election.
    — CARA ANNA, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • It’s been eight years since Democrats won a statewide office in Florida, 14 years since a Senate seat, and 32 years since the governor’s office.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of seat
Verb
  • In 2022, the central bank raised rates by three-quarters of a point six days before the midterm elections, part of its fight against the worst inflation in four decades.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • And the evidence uncovered by Chair Loudermilk raises serious questions about Speaker Pelosi's role in those decisions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Under a rerouting plan, original power lines were moved north, erected next to existing infrastructure, or affixed with visual warning systems or bird diverters.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The latest standoff is over a pair of revenue-generating digital billboards the tribe erected on the Sunrise Highway that the state Department of Transportation claims pose a dangerous distraction to passing motorists.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • It was selected as the foundation of Britain’s five-ship Type 31 programme, which is being built at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Most residents in Flagler Village are eager to see more tall towers built, according to Glassman.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • The bank also expects revenue to grow annually through 2028, targeting 5% growth that year compared with 2027, excluding notable items and on a constant currency basis.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of grow
Adjective
  • The port hull also houses a children’s cabin with four berths and an aft guest cabin, while the starboard hull features a second guest cabin, along with the crew quarters.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Lake of Dreams show still feels like an oddly charming fever dream—projections, puppetry, and music best experienced from SW, Lakeside, or the aft-deck fantasy bar literally called Aft.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of aft
Noun
  • The collision derailed two carriages on the tail of the Iryo train and the front of the Renfe train.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The collision derailed two carriages on the tail of the IRYO train and the front of the RENFE train.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tail

Phrases Containing rear

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rear
reared
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Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rear

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