Thesaurus results for REAR GUARD

rear guard

noun

Definition of rear guard

as in firing squad

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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

Noun

The office of the military prosecutor in eastern Libya said the 10 people were executed by firing squad after yearslong trials.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Failed execution led to firing squad law Creech and Pizzuto are Idaho’s longest-serving death row prisoners.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Definition of firing squad

Noun

As the trooper worked to secure Guerrero-Chavez back in his patrol vehicle, he was hit by a passing Ford Focus driven by Ashton Berry of Kansas City.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Military working dogs are routinely used in roles including explosives detection, patrol operations, search missions and force-protection duties.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of patrol

Noun

While Russia retains a presence, the era of it operating these as independent military outposts is over.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
But my four nights at the Ranch Hudson Valley, the East Coast outpost of the Malibu favorite, reveal that this is neither austere boot camp nor cutting-edge wellness clinic.

— Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of outpost

Noun

There is no additional preseason game check added because one player takes 50 snaps while a starter watches from the sideline.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The watch is for Northern Craven, Southern Craven and Inland Onslow as well as Pitt, Greene, Beaufort, Duplin, Lenoir, Jones and Pamlico counties.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of watch

Noun

Built in 1939, the dwelling’s traditional facade, with gable dormers and white picket fencing, sets the tone for interiors by local design firm KKD that feel rustic and modern at once.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
Wednesday’s picket comes as legislators returned to session earlier this week.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of picket

Noun

The robot is also designed to perform sentry duties, including identifying personnel and issuing alerts when abnormal situations are detected.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
In humans, traits such as neuroticism and recklessness appear to have some evolutionary basis—emerging perhaps to provide our species with sentries who alerted us to threats, and with explorers who led the way to new food sources.

— Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Definition of sentry

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rear ends

rear guard

rear guards

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“Rear guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear%20guard. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rear guard

noun

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