old guards

plural of old guard
as in establishments
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 Synonyms for old guards
Noun
  • The area might feel a bit buttoned-up and corporate for vacationers, but those in Abu Dhabi for work will be within a stone's throw of some of the city's best power-lunch and expense-account-dinner establishments.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, some long-standing Oxford establishments were praised by sources for aggressive vetting.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The belief in Green Bay is the veteran bigs will give Love more time to throw.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • That is a remarkable incentive, if not catnip, to send Condon to the bigs.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Old guards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20guards. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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