rearguard

or rear-guard

[ reer-gahrd ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a rear guard.
2. designed to oppose or prevent in a defensive way:

   a rearguard strategy.

rearguard

/ ˈrɪəˌɡɑːd /

noun

1. a detachment detailed to protect the rear of a military formation, esp in retreat
2. an entrenched or conservative element, as in a political party
3. rearguard action
   1. an action fought by a rearguard
   2. a defensive action undertaken to try to stop something happening or continuing

Word History and Origins

Origin of rearguard¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; attributive use of rear guard

Word History and Origins

Origin of rearguard¹

C15: from Old French rereguarde (modern French arrière-garde ), from rer , from Latin retro back + guarde guard ; compare vanguard

Example Sentences

It will be a rearguard action from the off by Saints - but they will end up losing.

From BBC

McLaren have had the fastest car for some time, and Verstappen has been fighting a rearguard battle as Norris has eaten into his lead every race since Dutch Grand Prix in late August.

From BBC

It changed the entire emphasis for the visitors, who had to revert to a rearguard action after overturning City’s lead and taking control.

From BBC

Compounding the issue, the dreary shoestring sets fail to conjure the literary ambience that Isaac is fighting a rearguard action to preserve.

From Los Angeles Times

They also leveraged their dominance skills to muscle into existence every progressive program, from Social Security and Medicare to color-blind immigration policy and voting rights, that we’re fighting a rearguard action to salvage today.

From Salon