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
This immersive audio system brings Dolby Atmos and wireless rear channels into your living room at a fantastic discount. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025 The vessel’s appeal included its robust steel hull and open rear deck, which accommodates a 33-foot custom tender, myriad toys, and a dive center. —Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
The 2023 Mac mini is the perfect example, measuring 1.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD) and with a single cluster of ports on a rear I/O panel. —PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 Fins ensure the tethered craft stays facing into the wind while a small propeller at the rear keeps it from blowing off-target. —Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
Such discontent may well rear its head in midterm elections next year. —Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025 Unfortunately, real life can sometimes rear its ugly head and get in the way of what the fans and wrestlers want to happen. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 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
  • Ahmad’s friend swerved onto a back road, but it was blocked with bodies and burning cars.
    — Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Another compartment houses dual Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and a USB 3.2 Type-A port, while the AC power jack is at the back corner.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • Jury selection for Karen Read's retrial on murder and other charges in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, resumes Thursday with just one more seat to fill.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Because Sai's group attended Tribal Council first, she was denied a spot on the Survivor 48 jury and that first seat went to Cedrek instead.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • At the same time, these updates raise questions about the Oscars broadcast itself.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The incident with Lauren had understandably raised questions on whether Weezer’s set would still happen.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • When the basilica was erected, Constantinople, perched at the eastern end of the European continent and named after emperor Constantine the Great, was one of the most important capitals of Christendom.
    — Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The two-story stone building, which also served as a church and school, was erected at a cost of $329.75.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • While most telecom infrastructure companies race to build the next big thing in telecom, Grindle is focusing on something even more important: people.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Combined with technology companies strengthening their security features, the momentum for these eco-friendly digital tools continues to build.
    — Allison Begalman, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Tariffs are concerning consumers Trade issues are a significant and growing concern for consumers, the Kearney survey said.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • This tree definitely has a flair for the dramatic, performing well throughout the South, displaying flowers up to 1 foot wide, growing as tall as 80 feet (depending on selection), featuring glossy evergreen foliage, and exuding a captivating scent that draws your attention.
    — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • With a step-through design, smaller wheels, and tight, (relatively) apartment-friendly proportions, long tails are imminently approachable.
    — Chris Cona, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
  • It was photographed on April 6 at magnitude 8.4 with a bright green coma and a thin tail, reported by Sky and Telescope.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • In addition to fostering connections, being part of these groups lends credibility and demonstrates commitment to the industry.
    — Veena Jetti, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Terri Taylor, a strategy director at the Lumina Foundation, a heavyweight funder with one and a half billion dollars in assets, told me that a group of twenty organizations joined a call in December, after Trump’s reëlection, to trade notes on efforts to foster dialogue on campuses.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 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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