as in establishment
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.
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Recent Examples of old guard
Enter Ayo Dosunmu, the 26-year-old guard who came their way with forward Julian Phillips via trade with Chicago at the February trade deadline for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks.
—
Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Carvajal was part of Venezuela’s old guard, close to the late President Hugo Chávez since their days in the army.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The 20-year-old guard pushed the pace, got to the foul line (5 of 6 in the third quarter) and helped keep the Spurs’ offense afloat throughout dry spells.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026
The year-old guard submitted his paperwork well in advance of the Tuesday night deadline, KU officials and Council’s agency told The Star.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Carvajal was part of Venezuela’s old guard, close to the late President Hugo Chávez since their days in the army.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
The 20-year-old guard pushed the pace, got to the foul line (5 of 6 in the third quarter) and helped keep the Spurs’ offense afloat throughout dry spells.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026
The year-old guard submitted his paperwork well in advance of the Tuesday night deadline, KU officials and Council’s agency told The Star.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old guard
establishment
Noun
-
The faction is viewed as so radical that even hardliners within Iran’s conservative establishment see it as fringe.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
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That frustration is exactly why our campaign shocked the political establishment at the Republican convention.—
Anne Brensley,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guard. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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