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
With almost the entirety of Hamas’ old guard decapitated, Mashal seems to be the only choice for maintaining a connection to their past.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Oct. 2024
But country music’s old guard remains stationed at its doorway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024
The House’s old guard of leadership — former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), and James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) — have subtly made public statements on the paths Biden might consider.
—Theodoric Meyer, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
While the Family Levy didn’t exactly rock the L.A.’s Peacock Theater as the first father-and-son hosts, breakout moments came courtesy of TV’s old guard (yey, Candy Bergen!) and Jodie Foster’s first Emmy win.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for old guard 
Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Oct. 2024
But country music’s old guard remains stationed at its doorway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024
The House’s old guard of leadership — former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), and James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) — have subtly made public statements on the paths Biden might consider.
—Theodoric Meyer, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
While the Family Levy didn’t exactly rock the L.A.’s Peacock Theater as the first father-and-son hosts, breakout moments came courtesy of TV’s old guard (yey, Candy Bergen!) and Jodie Foster’s first Emmy win.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for old guard
Thesaurus Entries Near old guard
Cite this Entry
“Old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guard. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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