white knight

noun

Synonyms of white knightnext
1
: one that comes to the rescue of another
especially : a corporation invited to buy out a second corporation in order to prevent an undesired takeover by a third
2
: one that champions a cause

Examples of white knight in a Sentence

a deserving cause in need of a charismatic white knight who will galvanize public support
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When Paramount – a company in disarray and deep financial distress – started courting potential buyers in 2024, Ellison emerged as the white knight. David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 Separately, the company has been hit with sale speculation, most recently that Anta Sports could be a white knight for the brand. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026 That white knight could be none other than Barry Diller, the former Paramount CEO who was indirectly involved in the creation of Time Warner in the 1980s, and was directly involved in a bidding war for Paramount in the 1990s. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026 The last cliffhanger revolves around the fate of Agence Grateau, for which Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) had to bring aboard a white knight due to financial losses. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for white knight

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of white knight was in 1628

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Cite this Entry

“White knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20knight. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Legal Definition

white knight

noun
: a party (as a corporation) invited to take over a corporation and thereby prevent its acquisition by another compare raider
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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