1
2
as in backward
directed, turned, or done toward the back
the tearful girl gave a rearward glance to her younger brother as she was being led down the street for her first day at school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also rearwards
as in backwards
toward the rear
turned rearward for a moment, just for one final look at the haunting scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rearward
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2023
Behind this, the Batur's long hood gives apparent proof that even fully electric Bentleys will keep the brand's distinctive cab-rearward stance.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 21 Aug. 2022
Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025
Tugging the stick rearward triggers manual upshifts, with a forward flick for downshifts, akin to motorsport gearboxes.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025
Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2024
Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge.
—Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 18 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for rearward
Adjective
To get the shape just right, Mansory stripped the chassis down completely, removed all four of the standard doors, shifted the B-pillar rearward to make room for the new set and moved the hinges back a pillar.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2023
Behind this, the Batur's long hood gives apparent proof that even fully electric Bentleys will keep the brand's distinctive cab-rearward stance.
—Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 21 Aug. 2022
Adverb
The trail gave way, and my horse toppled over in a twisting, rearward somersault.
—Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025
Tugging the stick rearward triggers manual upshifts, with a forward flick for downshifts, akin to motorsport gearboxes.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2024
Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge.
—Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 18 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for rearward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rearward
Adjective
-
Styling-wise, the rear fender has been tweaked, with the 16-inch wheels now getting a sweet two-tone treatment on CST cruiser tires.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In 1958, a much larger rear window gave view to impatient motorists arears, and carried through to the end of production.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s America looks backward—toward a gender order where men lead families and women follow.—
Sophia A. Nelson,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
On the other hand, speaking Spanish with a gringo accent could mark you as an outsider on the island, while not speaking English at all could be seen as backward in the diaspora.—
Héctor M. Varela Rios,
The Conversation,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Besides its many uses in cooking, a lavender plant adds fragrance and color wherever it's planted—along a path, beside a patio, or in a pot on your back deck—thanks to a long blooming season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Of course, the only reason Oracle is in this position is down to Ellison’s courting of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, which has allowed his company, previously a distinct back-of-the-pack cloud company, to secure a massive stockpile of top-of-the-line Nvidia GPUs.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Animal Crossing decompilation community had just finished reverse-engineering the game's source code, providing readable C instead of PowerPC assembly.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Treat partner vetting like investor due diligence in reverse.—
Steve Taplin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rearward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rearward. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share