1
: located at, near, or toward the rear
2
: directed toward the rear
a rearward glance
variants
or less commonly rearwards
: at, near, or toward the rear : backward
looking rearward
Synonyms
Examples of rearward in a Sentence
Adjective
the rearward section of the store
got rearward quarters aboard the ship
Adverb
turned rearward for a moment, just for one final look at the haunting scene
Recent Examples on the Web
IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2020
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
Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Driving it, there’s no rearward visibility, thanks to the snorkel plucked from the STO, so reversing requires camera reliance and a prayer.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
The toe-control link is critical to achieving this, especially since the bushings allow the wheels to move rearward slightly to help absorb small, sharp bumps.
—Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for rearward 
Noun
By rebalancing weight rearward, the new design allows the Stingray to put almost preposterous power to the pavement without sacrificing the comfort and everyday drivability that buyers demand.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2020
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
Adjective
Most were initially posted to checkpoints and other rearward duties in their native regions, but that changed as the Army hemorrhaged personnel.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Driving it, there’s no rearward visibility, thanks to the snorkel plucked from the STO, so reversing requires camera reliance and a prayer.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Adverb
That transfer case looks and functions very similarly to that of a Mercedes-Benz Unimog’s portal axles, with an onboard air compressor to engage it and gears that send power up and over the middle axle to a propshaft that continues rearward.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
The toe-control link is critical to achieving this, especially since the bushings allow the wheels to move rearward slightly to help absorb small, sharp bumps.
—Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for rearward
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rearward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rearward
Cite this Entry
“Rearward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rearward. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rearward
1 of 2 adjective
rear·ward
ˈri(ə)r-wərd 
1
: located at, near, or toward the rear
2
: directed toward the rear : backward
rearwardly
adverb
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