REARWARD Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

rearward 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrir-wərd

Definition of rearward

as in rear

being at or in the part of something opposite the front part got rearward quarters aboard the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

forward

rearward

2 of 3

adverb

ˈrir-wərd

variants also rearwards

as in back

toward the rear turned rearward for a moment, just for one final look at the haunting scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rearward

3 of 3

noun

as in reverse

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Adjective

In the event of an impact, the vehicle’s safety system automatically shifts the seats into a safer rearward position while deploying the helmet airbag at the same time as the side airbags, helping to reduce the risk of head and upper-body injuries. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026 The trail gave way, and my horse toppled over in a twisting, rearward somersault. — Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025

Adverb

The floor plan centers around a single- or dual-seat lounge that faces rearward to provide views through the open entryway. — C.c. Weiss may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026 Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025

Noun

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 The Urus's eight-speed gearbox has been recalibrated for Performante duty, and the all-wheel-drive system gets a different center differential that sends more torque rearward. — Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rearward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rearward

Adjective

It's got a set of pedals, as well as a twist-throttle on the right bar, controlling a 750-W nominal, 1,310-W peak, 85-Nm (63-lb-ft) electric motor between the rear wheels.

— Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
One of the workers who was in the rear bay and the driver of the Jeep were taken to a hospital for their injuries.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rear

Adjective

But on the next play, Gifford got an interception when Craig threw while going backward and under pressure.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
BodyEnergy introduced a new version of its motorless flat treadmill with Ab-drive, featuring a front abdominal roller that enables natural backward stride propulsion to biomechanically mimic running outdoors.

— TIME Staff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of backward

Adverb

Nebraska native Sydney Loofe was looking for love, or at least for some fun, while scrolling through Tinder back in 2017.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
The drums are constantly switching, the gait galloping one way and then swerving back again, as if the music could go anywhere.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of back

Noun

Heated grips come as standard, while a reversible gearshift mechanism allows riders to switch to a race-style reverse shifting pattern for circuit use.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel took the ball from quarterback Brock Purdy but then flipped it to Jacob Cowing on a reverse.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of reverse

Browse Nearby Words

rears

rearward

rearwards

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rearward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rearward. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rearward

adjective

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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