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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
-
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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According to the Hindu, local eyewitnesses have said that the elephant attacks mostly at night while people are sleeping, and residents have been using firecrackers and patrol teams to keep the animal away from heavily populated areas.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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During his time in Iraq, Ross was a machine gunner on a combat logistical patrol team, court documents show.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Tobolowsky was happy for the material — much of it from a Sears that was being repurposed into an outpost of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center — regardless of its condition.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Burns seems like someone who would fit in at Basgiath, or at one of the outposts on Navarre’s front lines.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Sotheby’s estimated nearly a third of its watch sales in 2023 went to buyers age 30 and under, giving them priceless social currency.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Baristas at Starbucks cafes across the country are holding pickets this week as part of a collective push for a union contract, and Phoenix workers are joining in.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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Where will Starbucks Workers United hold rallies and pickets?—
Mike Snider,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The pair later designed pieces for various regiments of the Royal Guards, the sentries protecting Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace in London.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Reenactors portraying British sentries were bum-rushed by a swarm of whooping Green Mountain Boys.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rear guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rear%20guard. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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