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
The announcement from Clyburn, who turns 86 in July, comes as younger Democrats are challenging the old guard in primaries throughout the country.
—
Kadia Goba, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2026
As absorbing as the debate has been, technology appears to be settling it without much regard to the feelings of the old guard.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
All of this has been a long time coming, given how repetitive and stagnant the NHL’s Final Four has become, and it’s been facilitated partly by (a) the salary cap finally opening up post-pandemic and (b) the aging out of the cores of so many of the old guard.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
That generational divide will be one of the main features of the 2026 Democratic primaries as a herd of younger candidates are looking to push the old guard out of office.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the old guard
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kadia Goba, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2026
As absorbing as the debate has been, technology appears to be settling it without much regard to the feelings of the old guard.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
All of this has been a long time coming, given how repetitive and stagnant the NHL’s Final Four has become, and it’s been facilitated partly by (a) the salary cap finally opening up post-pandemic and (b) the aging out of the cores of so many of the old guard.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
That generational divide will be one of the main features of the 2026 Democratic primaries as a herd of younger candidates are looking to push the old guard out of office.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the old guard
Cite this Entry
“The old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20old%20guard. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
