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
Two days later, the Clippers got even younger by sending starting center Ivica Zubac and third-year guard Kobe Brown to Indiana for 23-year-old guard Bennedict Mathurin, backup center Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and one second-round pick.
—
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
The Valkyries seemed equally eager to welcome the rookie to the league’s most intimidating road environment, and succeeded in stifling the 23-year-old guard.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Burries is a 20-year-old guard who stands 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with a 6-6 wingspan.
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Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Castle spent much of the game either playing or sitting with foul trouble — a big blow for San Antonio considering the 21-year-old guard has been the Spurs’ second-best player this postseason.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
The Valkyries seemed equally eager to welcome the rookie to the league’s most intimidating road environment, and succeeded in stifling the 23-year-old guard.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Burries is a 20-year-old guard who stands 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with a 6-6 wingspan.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Castle spent much of the game either playing or sitting with foul trouble — a big blow for San Antonio considering the 21-year-old guard has been the Spurs’ second-best player this postseason.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for old guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old guard
establishment
Noun
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Socialists have been on the rise after candidates such as Melat Kiros and Darializa Avila Chevalier beat longtime Democratic incumbents and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated the Democratic establishment in last year’s mayoral race.
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Meanwhile, in suburban areas and in statewide contests establishment Democrats generally are winning against progressive challengers.
Cite this Entry
“Old guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guard. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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