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
That teenager is 19-year-old guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who the Heat selected with the 20th overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The 27-year-old guard is due for a new contract this summer that would solidify his status as one of the sport’s star players.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The 27-year-old guard returned to the starting lineup for Game 6, with Luke Kennard – who failed to make a shot on Wednesday – resuming a reserve role.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
After a five-month, 120-game regular season featuring record crowds, women’s hockey enjoying a significant post-Olympic boost and with more expansion on the horizon, the Walter Cup playoff semifinalists are made up exclusively of the league’s old guard.
—John Wawrow, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The 27-year-old guard is due for a new contract this summer that would solidify his status as one of the sport’s star players.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The 27-year-old guard returned to the starting lineup for Game 6, with Luke Kennard – who failed to make a shot on Wednesday – resuming a reserve role.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
After a five-month, 120-game regular season featuring record crowds, women’s hockey enjoying a significant post-Olympic boost and with more expansion on the horizon, the Walter Cup playoff semifinalists are made up exclusively of the league’s old guard.
—John Wawrow, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old guard
establishment
Noun
-
In his victory speech, Qualls, who pitched himself as an outsider countering the party establishment, said the party should rally together to defeat the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in November.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
Ishikawa herself worked in one of the bars that served Black soldiers, at a time when most establishments were segregated.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guard. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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