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
Cheney’s resistance to Trump in the final years of his life was a rear-guard action, not a sign of things to come. —Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025 Then, there’s the Urban Pack, which includes a 50-liter top box, rear carrier, and pads. —New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Then the boys rejoined the bonus Jonases, and the family of six made their exit to the rear of the stage, walking as one, arm in arm — in arm, in arm, in arm, in arm. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2025 The rear of the Heritage Customs Valiance Pick-Up, with door and tailgate open. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
He was reared in an environment polluted with drugs, gangs and violence. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025 Like any Boise kid, William Goodman grew up knowing landmarks such as the rearing palomino above the Ranch Club in Garden City. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025 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
  • But Heat coach Erik Spoelstra drew up the perfect inbounds pass, as Andrew Wiggins used a back screen from Davion Mitchell and cut open to the basket.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Lane has also proposed the idea of the winery and brewery sharing the outdoor back patio for musical and other events.
    — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • The margin will narrow by one seat once the government reopens and the winner of a special election, Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, is sworn in.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Democrats also performed well in one red state election, flipping two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission.
    — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Yet Tapestry—the parent company of Coach—said Gen Z now accounts for roughly 35% of its new customers, helping the brand beat Wall Street expectations and raise its full-year forecast.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The tent was a remnant of the structures erected by the United Nations High Command for Refugees to provide shade for migrants, Dumasá said.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The end of a building erected in the 1940s?
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • In August, The Guardian said the Israeli Defense Forces' Unit 8200 had built a system in Microsoft's Azure cloud for tracking Palestinians' phone calls as part of the country's invasion of Gaza, leading Microsoft to investigate the newspaper's assertions.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • To build workplaces that are not just more efficient, but more human.
    — Kelly Jones, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Several of the production facilities that CNN analyzed have swiftly replaced villages and farmland, growing by tens of thousands of square feet in the past five years.
    — Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Though George Washington and the press started off amicably, their relationship grew more adversarial once journalists began criticizing the nation’s first president.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • Viewers were able to see the hilarious shot of Jinky in the bath quickly cut to a very telling scene of the same dog bounding into a marshland or small lake, tail wagging, body splashing through mud and water in total ecstasy.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • The Empath fosters psychological safety, inclusive dialogue and a culture of empathy.
    — Kelly Jones, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Even here, though, the focus of most of Biden’s efforts at fostering economic cooperation was regional, not global.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
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 Nov. 2025.

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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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