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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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
Here’s Apple’s specific definition of the affected phones, according to the service program page: Apple has determined that the rear camera on a very small percentage of iPhone 14 Plus devices may exhibit no preview. Jay Peters, The Verge, 1 Nov. 2024 The additional motor driving the rear wheels increases horsepower from 220 to 300 but only causes a small worsening of efficiency. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
Hydraulic disc brakes front and rear come from Dyisland, and a Shimano Altus rear derailleur packs nine speeds instead of the usual seven. William Roberson, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The fire erupted about 11:20 a.m. Wednesday outside the rear of a residence in the 3900 block of Ohio Avenue. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
When scientists reared pharaoh cuttlefish embryos in the same tank as unassuming clownfish, initially, the embryos stayed put. Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect 4-in-1 Tinted Face Balm Foundation, $18 $9 Lash But Not Least: Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, $24 $14 Nordstrom Nordstrom always comes through with makeup deals—year-round, yes, but especially as Black Friday starts to rear its beautiful, beautiful head. Annie Blackman, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rear 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear
Adjective
  • Fleur-de-lis designs are featured on the inside back neck and hem loop labels to honor the city of St. Louis.
    Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
  • This is what begins to happen in the back half of the season.
    Max Gao, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Sensing her low-grade panic, my friends moved a few seats down at the bar, leaving me and Janine to get into it.
    Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Loading your audio article In January, a security camera captured unnerving footage: what appeared to be a bear had forced its way into a Rolls Royce parked outside a home in the Southern California resort community of Lake Arrowhead, gouged the seats and thrashed the interior.
    Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Trump has discussed raising tariffs across the board by 10% to 20%, so the 20% figure Harris cited is on the upper end of what Trump has said.
    Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Eastwood raised the same predicament in The 15:17 to Paris and Sully when seeming to be impartial while playing off recent incidents that inspired the scripts.
    Armond White, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In the meantime, a metal gangway is being erected over the empty fountain for tourists to get a close view of the fountain’s sculpture Oceanus, the Titan God of Earth, depicted with galloping horses.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Jones received a violation for the installation of the putting green, for section 45-3, which states neither buildings nor structures can be erected, added to or structurally altered.
    Kayla Mutchler, Connecticut Post, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • As Halloween draws near, excitement builds for children eager to trick-or-treat.
    Sarah Darby, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Used in conjunction with items like an ultrasonic ranging module, joystick, and tilt switch, makers can build more complex mechanisms.
    Bob Beacham, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Though the plant has only been in Givaudan's name for three years, this isn't the first explosion in Clifton, a fact that contributed to growing tensions in the room.
    Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
  • But a growing number of artists are moving away from these traditional pathways to carve their own roads to success.
    Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Testers appreciated the Venture’s neutral profile, which transitions from zero-camber underfoot to a gentle rocker between the inserts, nose, and tail.
    Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
  • After a semi-heated debrief with Kaitlyn and Byron, where she’s ordered to find a qualified handler for their pilot lioness, Joe picks up a tail on the highway and calls in Kyle for assistance, who’s already tracking her from the road about five minutes away.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The company continues to focus on its growth strategy, including fostering a vibrant customer ecosystem and improving the customer experience through product innovation.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • In this instance, familiarity does not breed contempt but fosters an affection that deepens with every passing year.
    Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near rear

Cite this Entry

“Rear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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