rear-guard
Retreat-covering military unit
Rear-guard refers to the soldiers positioned at the back of an army, protecting against attacks from behind during a march or retreat.
By extension, a rear-guard action is a defensive effort to delay an inevitable defeat or change: The company fought a rear-guard action against the hostile takeover.
The term suggests resistance that may be futile but buys time.
Cautious about altering customs
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- holdoutOne refusing to participate
- last standUltimate defensive effort
die-hard · reactionary · preservationist · defender · stalwart · bastion · remnant · entrenched
Protection against harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- sentinelGuard who monitors
cover · screening · watchfulness · vigilance · patrol · security · fortification · bulwark
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- flankSide of body
- infantryGround combat troops
- cavalryMounted military force
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
battalion · regiment · platoon · formation · skirmish · engagement · combat · column
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
- delayingCausing later occurrence
maneuver · ambush · counterattack · flanking · reconnaissance · feint · diversion · disengagement
conservative
Cautious about altering customs
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- holdoutOne refusing to participate
last stand · die-hard · reactionary · preservationist · defender · stalwart · bastion · remnant · entrenched · unchanging
defense
Protection against harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
sentinel · cover · screening · watchfulness · vigilance · patrol · security · fortification · bulwark · stronghold
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
artillery · battalion · regiment · platoon · formation · skirmish · engagement · combat · column · reinforcement
withdrawal
Act of taking away
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
delaying · maneuver · ambush · counterattack · flanking · reconnaissance · feint · diversion · disengagement · defensive position
rear-guardvanguard
Foremost position or group
advance guard · front line · avant-garde · spearhead · point
rear-guardvanguard
Foremost position or group
avant-garde · trailblazer · pioneer · progressive · innovator
rear, guard, rears, reared, rearing, guards, guarded, guarding, guardian