What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rearward
Example
The truck slowly moved rearward out of the loading dock. [rearward: adverb]
Example
The soldiers marched in a rearward formation to protect their retreat. [rearward: adjective]
backward
Example
The car went backward down the hill after the brakes failed. [backward: adverb]
Example
He struggled with the math problem and felt backward compared to his classmates. [backward: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Backward is more commonly used than rearward in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rearward and backward?
Rearward is more formal than backward and is often used in military or technical contexts.
