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
Front disc and rear drum brakes do the stopping. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025 Following this blockbuster trade, Dallas will look to put it in the rear view as they are slated to kick off the 2025 season agains the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 2020 Corvette Owner’s manual states that children in rear-facing seats should not sit in a two-seater car as the passenger airbag can cause severe injuries to the child. Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 The slats that cover the Concept C's rear bring to mind the cooling louvres at the rear of the Type C, necessary to let the heat generated by its monstrous V16 engine to escape the rear engine bay. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Evidence is starting to roll in that inflation is rearing its ugly head as his tariffs were just beginning to be implemented. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025 The male flies were raised at a sterile insect-rearing facility in Los Alamitos, officials added. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear
Adjective
  • The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Enter through the hotel, or a back entrance in the alley.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Republicans hold a strong majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, holding 29 out of 35 seats in the Senate and 81 of 100 seats in the House.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Heated seats also are standard on the ’25 model.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The deal, brokered after a standoff between state and county officials resulting from a disagreement over whether to raise assessments this year, means homeowners will see a nearly 7% increase above their 2024 property valuation.
    Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Bundy family said information about the object removed from Ryan Bundy’s arm could raise more questions in the incident.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These scaffolds are erected on skyscrapers, hundreds of feet high, and encased in fabric safety nets forming colorful cocoons of green, blue and purple.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The monumental, symmetrical building had a grandiose entrance mimicking the front of the Greek temple, and the glass and iron dome at the structure’s center was erected using the latest construction techniques.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 35-year-old founder has built a remarkably high-earning captive agency, all while staying within the corporate framework that others rush to leave.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But his focus, as ever, was on building a movement that could endure for years to come.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The fire grew slightly north of Indian Rock, but crews are using nearby roads as a barrier and are reinforcing them to prevent growth.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Dill is an easy herb to grow and its unique anise flavor complements salads and meats and adds tang to a jar of pickles.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Steaks come with an assortment of compound butters and sauces, with the option for lobster tail, crab, bone marrow and blue cheese on top.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The O’Brien Revival is an intermediate, surf-style board that features a tri-fin, swallow-tail design.
    Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those included defending Novo's leadership in diabetes and obesity treatment, fostering a high performance culture and realigning the company's cost base and driving efficiencies.
    Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The husband and wife team at the helm aims to foster joy, drawing inspiration from their experiences in Korea and Florida.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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