Rearward

Rearward describes movement or direction toward the back or the direction behind. It denotes a position or course that is behind something else, whether in space, time, or sequence. The term often implies a withdrawal or a shift to a less advanced location or a direction away from a forward position. It can apply to physical movement, the progression of events, or even metaphorical concepts, such as looking back at the past. This word frequently indicates a retreat or backward motion, emphasizing a position or direction relative to a point of reference. It suggests a sense of looking, moving, or being situated towards the back or behind something else.

Rearward meaning with examples

• The soldier executed a sharp rearward maneuver, retreating to a safer position behind the cover of the stone wall. He needed to regroup and assess the situation before advancing again. The quick backward step provided him with a valuable extra moment.
• As the train pulled out of the station, the scenery seemed to flow rearward, creating the illusion that the world itself was moving away from the passenger cars, creating an optical illusion of movement.
• The old ship's steering mechanism was failing, and the captain struggled to maintain its course, fearing the wind would push it rearward and towards the rocky shore. It was difficult to keep the ship heading in the proper direction.
• Historical analysis often involves looking rearward, examining past events to understand their causes and consequences, and how they influence the present day and informing their understanding of history. This allows us to draw parallels between the past and present.
• After failing to win the game, the team reflected on their mistakes, analyzing their performance in the contest, and looking rearward to see what strategies they should have tried. The goal was to improve the team's gameplay.