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
It was further detected in a rear compartment of Burke’s Tesla, separate from the front trunk where her remains were found. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 Those who are willing and able to splurge on the full-size G90 get a near-unparalleled degree of opulence via its rear seat. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Noun
The package also features a locking rear differential to maximize traction. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Jude Bellingham brought up the rear, with Thomas Tuchel just behind him. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Verb
Each time, as the dog snarled and jumped backward, the bear would rear again with his back against the tree trunk, swinging his mighty paws in front of him as though daring Drive to come within reach. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026 In Mexico, Gelman met Zahalka, a native of Bohemia (part of the current-day Czech Republic ) who was reared in a Catholic convent and attended schools in Vienna and Switzerland. — Los Angeles Times, 14 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
  • Tyler Glasnow is even further away from pitching in big-league games as his back spasms have kept him out for months.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The capri-adjacent shorts were cut in midweight washed viscose with a textured handfeel and luminous sheen, and are finished with side cargo pockets and dual back pockets.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • The audience giggled nervously as their seats rocked and rolled during the tense chase scene, and whenever the dinosaur went in for an attack, a squirt of water shot out from behind each audience member’s seat.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 July 2026
  • Each business-class, lie-flat seat can bring in close to $10,000 on some long-haul international routes compared with $2,000 or even much less for a seat in the back.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 19 July 2026
Definition of seat
Verb
  • The Athletic put the points raised in this article to United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • State workers used the forum to raise $9,000 in under three weeks for an Interstate 80 billboard protesting the RTO order.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The long-term goal — again, depending on funding — would be to erect as many as 400 affordable duplexes on some of the many vacant lots held by the Kansas City Missouri Homesteading Authority and the Kansas City Land Bank.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • While wide hips were considered a problem area not so long ago, designers are now erecting a sort of fashion monument to them—as a symbol of sensuality, strength, and self-determination.
    — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • By addressing immediate needs and trauma early, the program has helped prevent future child welfare involvement, reduce long-term societal costs and build stronger families.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • AlignSphere Ventures is asking the city for a conditional-use permit to build the hospital, as well as a development-agreement modification and a preliminary plat.
    — Rose Evans July 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • That dividing line is a growing source of concern for the town’s residents, whose economy largely depends on tourism and agriculture.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The award reinforced the engine’s role in the program while reflecting growing demand for compact propulsion systems across the defense sector.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
Definition of grow
Adjective
  • 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
  • Another highlight is the aft cockpit, which is equipped with two swing-down side terraces that open to increase the deck space to 398 square feet.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 July 2026
Definition of aft
Noun
  • The flashbacks deliver some classic cat-and-mouse conspiracy-thriller action, as these two try to figure out who’s on their tail.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • In the underwater video, an adult female orca is seen holding onto a dead sharp-tail sunfish that the group had previously killed.
    — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 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 27 Jul. 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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