Synonyms of rearward

rearward 1 of 3

adjective

ˈrir-wərd 

1

as in rear

being at or in the part of something opposite the front part

got rearward quarters aboard the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rear
• back
• hind
• aft
• posterior
• hinder
• dorsal
• after
• hindmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• front
• anterior
• forward
• frontal
• fore
• ventral

2

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

• backward
• hind
• rear
• reverse
• reversed
• retrograde
• aft
• posterior
• astern
• after
• sternforemost

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

• backward
• back
• astern
• counterclockwise
• reversely
• widdershins
• anticlockwise
• left-handed
• sternforemost
• retrograde
• left-handedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward
• forth
• ahead
• along
• on
• forwards
• before
• onward

rearward

3 of 3

noun

as in reverse

Related Words

• rear
• back
• reverse
• interior
• inside
• innards

Dissimilar Words

• front
• face
• forehead
• surface
• forepart
• facade
• outside
• skin
• veneer

Example Sentences

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