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
With Fashion Month now in the rear-view mirror, the biggest Paris Fashion Week street style trends are still lingering in our minds. —Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2025 According to the listing, the property features refinished original hardwood floors, large front porches, a rear deck, new drywall, plumbing, electrical and windows. —Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The kitchen is at the rear of the home and can be outfitted with a small fridge, small stove/oven combo, and double sink. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns should always ride in a rear-facing infant seat,1 including the ride home from the hospital. —Hildara Araya, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
If the team is reeling and injuries are rearing their ugly head once again, leading to a disappointing record, then there’s a chance because only a select player or two are untouchable. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 In Week 3, the problems reared their head in a major way for an even tougher road loss. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 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
  • Hart has been dealing with back spasms and, as a result, hasn't appeared in New York's last two preseason games.
    — Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The suit argues firing workers during the shutdown is an abuse of power that strips federal employees of back-pay rights and violates agencies’ statutory duties.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of back
Noun
  • Chinese Premier Li Qiang and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will have front row seats at the event which, according to satellite imagery of apparent rehearsals, could include a large-scale mass gymnastics performance.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Lala was last seen dangling upside down in the driver’s seat, bleeding profusely.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of seat
Verb
  • In November, Jackson terminated Gatlin for swindling millions of dollars from the Foundation as executives privately reeled over her betrayal of the hospital system’s fundraising arm, which raises tens of millions to benefit Jackson’s patients.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Experts at Sweetbriar said the effort was not just about saving one insect but also about raising awareness.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • While stadiums and luxury hotels are erected, hospitals remain overcrowded and rural areas underserved.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The group was later able to recover the statue — with the figures ripped from their pedestals and broken into pieces — and set about trying to re-erect it.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • The broad international effort has built widespread support for the latest ceasefire and raised hopes that this one will last.
    — Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Considered one of the most precise and dependable strategic weapons ever built, the Trident II remains a cornerstone of the US and UK’s nuclear deterrence forces, operated by the US Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs and the Royal Navy.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Over the years, the couple gave parcels of the land away for churches, schools and hospitals for the community to grow.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Lawson-Remer cited the connection between education and clinical practice, and the ability to keep working while learning, as the key factors in making progress in the larger goal of significantly growing the local mental health care workforce.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of grow
Noun
  • In previous Fortune coverage of inflation’s long tail, consumers’ coping tactics have included trading down brands, shrinking baskets, delaying car repairs, and leaning on credit cards.
    — Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • With Arch Bug on their tails, and not knowing whether their son has hired their time-traveling gene, Henry grabs Julia at the last second and presses all of their hands to the stones at the same time.
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of tail
Verb
  • Growing up, and well into my early adulthood, my grandma was my best friend—a person who fostered a sense of confidence in me, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the best taste in everything nostalgic from her younger years.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
  • This isolated upbringing, Lieberman explained, fostered a strong emotional dependence in Ed.
    — Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of foster

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 15 Oct. 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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