the old guard

noun

: the usually older members of an organization (such as a political party) who do not want or like change

She's not popular with the old guard.

(US) The old guard is stronger than ever.

(British) The old guard are stronger than ever.

Examples of the old guard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bush's successor as governor, Rick Perry, had campaigned heavily for Cornyn, and Cornyn touted endorsements from many in the old guard of Texas Republicans. —Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Despite the upgrades, there’s also a strong sense that this year Fender is honoring the original guitars and the old guard who pioneered them. —New Atlas, 24 May 2026

In jazz, like all artforms, the vanguard can become the old guard in the blink of an eye. —Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026

Raman and Pratt are right in deeming Bass the old guard of a beat-up city — but the old guard didn’t get there without knowing how to win. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Rhymes for the old guard

• bodyguard
• boulevard
• disregard
• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard