: of or relating to resistance especially to sweeping social forces
fought a rearguard action against automation
: a military detachment detailed to bring up and protect the rear of a main body or force

Examples of rearguard in a Sentence

Adjective The army fought a courageous rearguard action.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Mr Johnson’s Brexit plans have been sidelined in order to fight a rearguard action against a disease that is locking down the country and tanking the economy. The Economist, 8 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French reregarde, from Old French, from rere + garde guard

First Known Use

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rearguard was in 1659

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near rearguard

rear-fanged

rearguard

rear guard

Cite this Entry

“Rearguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rearguard. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

rear guard

noun
: soldiers who protect the rear of an army
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