REAR Synonyms: 239 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrir

Definition of rear next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rear

2 of 3

noun

ˈrir

as in tail

a behind part or surface the rear of the car was sleekly designed

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as in seat

the part of the body upon which someone sits fell off her skates onto her rear

Synonyms & Similar Words

rear

3 of 3

verb

ˈrir

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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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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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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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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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

There’s no rear imaging without separate satellites, but the Theater Bar 9 still puts up a very wide and accurate sound field on its own. —

PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025 The rear wing therefore pushes air down toward the rear window, while creating as little turbulence as possible. —

Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025

Noun

Police said 23-year-old Anthony Lytton Jr., who had been sitting in the rear of the car, was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025 The rear of the vehicle then struck a tree and was redirected before the front end struck a second tree, state police wrote. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

The disease of obesity rears its head again, and all of the health issues that come with it come back. —

Emily Burns, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025 Some desert conservationists are critical of the efforts, saying the captive rearing program is essentially a smokescreen that distracts from the pressing need to conserve critical habitat. —

Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear

Adjective

But just as Maresca’s team grew steadily more passive after taking the lead, so too did Jackson fail to press home his advantage against a back line exploited by a wide range of attackers in recent weeks.

— Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
The exit is due to injury: McGraw hurt himself on tour and had to undergo orthopedic surgery on both knees, with a back surgery still scheduled that will require recovery time.

— Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Jan. 2025