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
The rear wheels are now connected by a rigid beam, and the differential is mounted directly to the frame rather than the axle as on previous trikes. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 The victim told police the rear patio doors are never locked. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
There are two large closets, one of which is just off the sleeping alcove, and two windows facing the rear, hinting at natural light without so much street noise. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 Aug. 2026 The Starlink antenna has been built directly into the vehicle’s rear and occupies a rectangular compartment that hides the dish’s signature design. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
Momentum trading could then rear its ugly head and triple digit prices would soon follow. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 During spring and summer, those same ponds and lakes provided excellent nesting and gosling-rearing areas. — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 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
  • Low-income Americans who can’t afford to buy into the housing market and who lack a significant presence in the stock market are starting on their back foot.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In a two-story warehouse on the back lot, just a few blocks away from the streets of Tumbleton, Mason gives me a tour of his prosthetics operation, which is currently abuzz with workers assembling gruesome wounds and other injuries.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • After losing his seat to redistricting, Jones fell short in his bid for a third term in Congress against Republican Newt Gingrich.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For now, Paramount isn’t producing the billion-dollar box office smashes that drive millions of butts into theater seats (not to mention robust sales of novelty popcorn buckets).
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of seat
Verb
  • The lawmakers argue profiting off the suffering of others is wrong, while also raising concerns that wildfire betting could create a dangerous financial incentive.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, passengers aboard Delta flight 591 going from Las Vegas to Atlanta allegedly spoofed the onboard Wi-Fi, raising the attention of federal law enforcement.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • By combining robotic homebuilding, workforce training, and integrated infrastructure, the project is testing more than a faster way to erect walls.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Alexander Stadium holds 23,000 for these championships, boosted by a temporary top tier erected on the Hudson-Smith stand, which follows the far-side bend.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Deep in the cornfields of northeast Iowa, a cacophony of voices loudly whispered to build a permanent baseball stadium.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The city of Chicago recently pursued a worthy effort to build affordable apartments on the West Side.
    — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • The population of Quincy, a red dot in deep blue Washington, has grown as agriculture and food processing expanded.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Texas is entering a new era of education this school year with the launch of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), and some private schools in North Texas are already rapidly growing at an unprecedented pace.
    — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of grow
Adjective
  • One of Windstar’s signature amenities is the aft marina on each ship, which is deployed when conditions are favorable.
    — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This plug protected one of the 59 screws attaching the aft heatshield to the Apollo 8 command module in December 1968.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
Definition of aft
Noun
  • Among the adventures, are hide-and-seek with Pooh, help Eeyore search for his missing tail, and encourage Piglet to find courage.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Its bright red star Antares marks the heart of the scorpion, with a curving tail extending downward toward the horizon.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of tail

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 17 Aug. 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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