1. the soldiers or part of an army that protects the rear of a retreating force
Usage: military
2. a defensive or delaying action against change or progress
Usage: figurative

1. relating to or characteristic of resistance to change or progress
Usage: often used before nouns

Examples

• The rearguard held off the enemy while the main army retreated.
• A small rearguard of cavalry protected the withdrawing troops.
• The senator fought a rearguard action against the new legislation.
• Union leaders mounted a rearguard defense of workers’ rights.
• The company’s rearguard efforts to prevent the merger ultimately failed.
• Conservative politicians waged a rearguard battle against social reform.
• The rearguard resistance to technological change slowed progress.