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
Among the Big Ten’s old guard, the definition of what does — and doesn’t — count as a men’s basketball rivalry is ambiguous.
—
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This sets up an expensive fight to win Texas' Republican voters, with Cornyn touting old guard Republicanism and Paxton appealing to MAGA hardliners.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
But inevitably, the money became too big to pass up, and some of the NFL old guard bought in.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The film blurs the line between fact and fiction by featuring clips from Clooney’s real movies and crediting them to the titular actor, insisting Kelly is one of the last A-listers in an industry shedding Hollywood’s old guard.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This sets up an expensive fight to win Texas' Republican voters, with Cornyn touting old guard Republicanism and Paxton appealing to MAGA hardliners.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
But inevitably, the money became too big to pass up, and some of the NFL old guard bought in.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The film blurs the line between fact and fiction by featuring clips from Clooney’s real movies and crediting them to the titular actor, insisting Kelly is one of the last A-listers in an industry shedding Hollywood’s old guard.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old guard
establishment
Noun
-
Dining establishments like sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations and grocery stores are required to get food inspections, and governments have to release those inspections to the public.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
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But even the entry-level Superior Rooms offer good-sized nests for a Florentine sojourn, and there is no such thing as a small bathroom in this establishment (or one, come to that, without enough marble to carve a David).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guard. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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