defender
noun
de·fend·er
di-ˈfen-dər 
Synonyms
Examples of defender in a Sentence
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
Recent Examples on the Web
The two-time team captain pulls with ease, and is capable of erasing smaller defenders in his way.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
The 21-year-old defender ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine in February in Indianapolis.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2024
Bowers was the 13th consecutive offensive player selected in the first round, with no defenders chosen until UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu of UCLA going at No. 15 to Indianapolis.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
The government has seized the coercive powers of the state to fearsome ends, arresting activists and human-rights defenders under various provisions of the law.
—Ashoka Mody, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024
In Gaza, beatings and arrests of human rights defenders, journalists and demonstrators by Hamas in recent years, reflect a systematic practice, a report by the watchdog organization found.
—USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Unions have historically been viewed as staunch defenders of workers' rights and collective-bargaining power.
—Isabel Blank, National Review, 25 Apr. 2024
Despite the relentless attacks, the Ukrainian defenders have some advantages, Mr. Hrabsky, the military analyst, said.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The Celtics’ defensive game plan was one of the driving forces behind the Heat’s less-than-ideal shot diet in Game 1, sending single coverage at Heat center Bam Adebayo and keeping defenders on the Heat’s outside shooters.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
The 21-year-old defender ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine in February in Indianapolis.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2024
Bowers was the 13th consecutive offensive player selected in the first round, with no defenders chosen until UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu of UCLA going at No. 15 to Indianapolis.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
The government has seized the coercive powers of the state to fearsome ends, arresting activists and human-rights defenders under various provisions of the law.
—Ashoka Mody, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024
In Gaza, beatings and arrests of human rights defenders, journalists and demonstrators by Hamas in recent years, reflect a systematic practice, a report by the watchdog organization found.
—USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Unions have historically been viewed as staunch defenders of workers' rights and collective-bargaining power.
—Isabel Blank, National Review, 25 Apr. 2024
Despite the relentless attacks, the Ukrainian defenders have some advantages, Mr. Hrabsky, the military analyst, said.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The Celtics’ defensive game plan was one of the driving forces behind the Heat’s less-than-ideal shot diet in Game 1, sending single coverage at Heat center Bam Adebayo and keeping defenders on the Heat’s outside shooters.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near defender
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defender. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defender
noun
de·fend·er
-ˈfen-dər
1
: one that defends
2
: a player in a sport (as football) who plays a defensive position
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