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
For decades the old guard has held the line in the South, but the drumbeat of change grew like a fight song on a college football field.
—
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The old rules and the old guard don’t apply anymore.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Walk Madison Avenue between East 69th and East 79th, where the old guard of jewelers and maisons shares pavement with newer power players like Khaite and Toteme.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
It’s been framing its fight against Disney as one for consumers, a case that challenges the old guard’s pricing playbook.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the old guard
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Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The old rules and the old guard don’t apply anymore.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Walk Madison Avenue between East 69th and East 79th, where the old guard of jewelers and maisons shares pavement with newer power players like Khaite and Toteme.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
It’s been framing its fight against Disney as one for consumers, a case that challenges the old guard’s pricing playbook.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 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 10 Feb. 2026.
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