rearguard
Americanadjective
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of or relating to a rear guard.
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designed to oppose or prevent in a defensive way.
a rearguard strategy.
noun
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a detachment detailed to protect the rear of a military formation, esp in retreat
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an entrenched or conservative element, as in a political party
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an action fought by a rearguard
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a defensive action undertaken to try to stop something happening or continuing
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Etymology
Origin of rearguard
First recorded in 1895–1900; attributive use of rear guard
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"King George, as you know, never set foot in America. And please rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action."
From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026
However, he said the housing secretary had been "fighting against a rearguard action mounted by the freeholders and other financial interests and supported by the Treasury".
From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2026
They pushed Arsenal close with their rearguard action at Emirates Stadium last weekend, but still lost in the end.
From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2025
From there it was the Warriors' rearguard which decided the outcome.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2025
The others were in file behind, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
