rear guard

noun

Definition of rear guardnext
as in firing squad

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rear guard Optional extras include alarm/geolocation, a retractable rear guard rail, a canopy, and custom setups for family or cargo. — New Atlas, 6 July 2026 Any suggestions that Lionel Messi’s presence at the 2026 World Cup might be diminished crumbled on Tuesday night with Algeria’s rear guard. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026 The north was expected to be America’s rear guard, a place where values like democracy and women’s rights might have taken hold. — Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024 And assassins from a coalition of all the local indigenous tribes — out for blood over the murder of Jimmy the Creek, one of their own, last episode — slit the throats of Ming’s rear guard. — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024 General Fran Sigel was assigned as rear guard for forces moving through town. — Randy McCrory, Arkansas Online, 3 Aug. 2023 By the 1990s, NHTSA had finally adopted a regulation requiring tougher rear guards. — A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 13 June 2023 The capelin rear guard, sensing danger, rose off the bottom in a great fleeing cloud. — Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Indeed, Dnipropetrovsk has been a key rear guard for the Ukrainian military and National Guard. — Taras Kuzio, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rear guard
  1. firing squad
  2. patrol
  3. outpost
  4. watch
  5. picket
  6. sentry
Noun
  • The retrofit allows the prison to conduct executions by both firing squad and lethal injection.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • If convicted she could be executed by firing squad.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Definition of firing squad
Noun
  • In August 2020, border patrol arrested Gonzalez-Garcia again in La Joya, Texas, according to authorities.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Americans’ support for hiring more border patrol agents also fell by 10 points, following the passage of congressional Republicans’ party-line border funding bill.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of patrol
Noun
  • And this is not an end in itself; NASA believes the knowledge gained from establishing such an outpost will help humanity make the next giant leap — to Mars.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
  • Once a rough-and-tumble steel town, Pittsburgh’s in the midst of a massive makeover—and the Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, a funky, super-stylish Kimpton outpost is helping to lead the charge.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of outpost
Noun
  • Epstein said the stunt doubles as a virtual watch party for fans who couldn't make it to New York.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The consumer version compresses that same idea into a ring, watch or app.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass, the park has said.
    — Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass, the park has said.
    — Becky Bohrer, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Definition of picket
Noun
  • The former is heralded with a blast of horns; the latter guards its inner sanctum behind Tobie Windham’s officious sentry.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Finally, unable to stand down the household guard on her own, Alicent confesses her scheme to Helaena, who orders the sentries on the ramparts to hold fire when Rhaenyra flies in on Syrax.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of sentry

Browse Nearby Words

rear ends
rear guard
rear guards
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Cite this Entry

“Rear guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear%20guard. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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