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

Early pothole testing actually caused a slight structural bend in a rear swingarm.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Out back, a single monoshock is mounted to the massive single-sided swingarm that carries the solo rear wheel shod in a wiiiide 305/30R20 Kenda meat.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of rear

Adjective

Despite being tightly controlled, technologically backward, and subject to crippling Western trade embargoes, the country has recorded year-on-year GDP growth of more than 3%, of which many advanced economies could only dream.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026
And while Dillagence 2 looks backward, Rhymes remains acutely interested in what’s happening next.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of backward

Adverb

Michael Mankins and Matthew Crupi want value maximization back as the objective, with stakeholder commitments as hard or soft constraints.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
This is where the episode finally loops back on itself, with the recruiter laying out a black hole on the ground, revealing the mall to be a kind of pocket universe.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of back

Noun

After offside penalty on the Hawks on the PAT, the Warriors go for two and failed to convert on a wide receiver reverse.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The theory itself doesn’t go into something as granular as biological aging, but the idea of life moving in reverse led me to fungi.

— Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of reverse

Browse Nearby Words

rears

rearward

rearwards

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Style

“Rearward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rearward. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rearward

adjective

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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