white knight
noun
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
Synonyms
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
As Farfetch seeks a buyer for Browns, Richemont looks for one for Net-a-Porter, and administrators seek a white knight for MatchesFashion, the future of once starry names is uncertain.
—
Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Some properties might be related to more specific information, such as the fact that the board described in the input has a white knight on space E3; others might encode abstract observations, like the role that the white knight in space E3 is playing in protecting its king.
—Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
That doesn’t change the fact that pachucos are perhaps the worst group to white knight for on the grounds of cultural appropriation.
—Jp Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
Lordstown, founded by the chief executive of the financially shaky EV startup Workhorse Group, emerged as a potential white knight.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 27 June 2023
In comes Statham, the white knight of the middle class, whose real purpose in life is to defend the most vulnerable group in society from the entitled hipsters.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024
Take it from the commentators who have already laid out the many logistical challenges that would deter a late Republican primary entry by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who some GOP donors view as a white knight who could ride in to give Trump a real battle in the Republican primary.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2023
When Thomas Spota first became district attorney in 2002, he was perceived as a white knight, largely expected to clean house after an era of corruption.
—Robert Kolker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
To rosarians, these predatory creatures — which include insects, birds, amphibians and spiders — are the white knights of the garden.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Some properties might be related to more specific information, such as the fact that the board described in the input has a white knight on space E3; others might encode abstract observations, like the role that the white knight in space E3 is playing in protecting its king.
—Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
That doesn’t change the fact that pachucos are perhaps the worst group to white knight for on the grounds of cultural appropriation.
—Jp Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
Lordstown, founded by the chief executive of the financially shaky EV startup Workhorse Group, emerged as a potential white knight.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 27 June 2023
In comes Statham, the white knight of the middle class, whose real purpose in life is to defend the most vulnerable group in society from the entitled hipsters.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024
Take it from the commentators who have already laid out the many logistical challenges that would deter a late Republican primary entry by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who some GOP donors view as a white knight who could ride in to give Trump a real battle in the Republican primary.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2023
When Thomas Spota first became district attorney in 2002, he was perceived as a white knight, largely expected to clean house after an era of corruption.
—Robert Kolker, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
To rosarians, these predatory creatures — which include insects, birds, amphibians and spiders — are the white knights of the garden.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'white knight.' 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 white knight
Cite this Entry
“White knight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20knight. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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