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Recent Examples of rear guard
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
The beefier, more robust rear guards would’ve cost an additional $127 each, according to industry estimates.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 13 June 2023
Striking then racing away as the Russian rear guard struggles to catch up.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 May 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
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
The beefier, more robust rear guards would’ve cost an additional $127 each, according to industry estimates.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 13 June 2023
Striking then racing away as the Russian rear guard struggles to catch up.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 May 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
Noun
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In March, Brad Sigmon, a South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat, was executed by firing squad.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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If the bill becomes law, Indiana will join five other states where execution by firing squad is legal.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Bovino joined the Border Patrol in 1996 and was named chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector of Southern California in 2020, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
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Today, his office oversees full-service patrol, investigations, warrant and civil divisions, a 400-bed facility and nearly 200 employees.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lakeside metropolis’ green cred gets an eco-luxe boost with this first Canadian outpost of the 1 Hotels brand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
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The diner currently operates outposts in downtown Austin, Oltorf Street and Burnet Road.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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More than 28 million people across the Southeast are under winter storm watches and warnings, including parts of northern Georgia, the Carolinas and southern Virginia.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Frankie Muniz isn't afraid to be everyone's comfort watch.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Or are the neighbor's dogs enjoying the gap between two pickets?—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
16 Jan. 2026
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The two were invited by Blue Cross to relocate the 30-minute picket — which featured a brief but coordinated step-tap dance number — from a grassy easement.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Kochab is the brighter of the two outer stars in the bowl of the Little Dipper (the other being Pherkad), which seem to march in a circle like sentries around Polaris, the North Star.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
14 Dec. 2025
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The incident occurred while one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) was returning from its sentry duties off Bentinck Island.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rear guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear%20guard. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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