as in guardian
someone that protects
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defender
Clark, coming off a 32-point performance in a victory at Chicago, was played aggressively most of the night by Leila Lecan, Connecticut’s top defender, and turned it over six times.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Its best player in Real Madrid defender David Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner and 10-time Austrian footballer of the year.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Julian Nagelsmann’s priority must be to play in a compact way that stops chances developing and prevents defenders facing individual battles against strong attackers.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The Dutch are favored to advance out of the group stage, but the team has struggled with injuries; defender Jurrien Timber has already left because of a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Its best player in Real Madrid defender David Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner and 10-time Austrian footballer of the year.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Julian Nagelsmann’s priority must be to play in a compact way that stops chances developing and prevents defenders facing individual battles against strong attackers.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The Dutch are favored to advance out of the group stage, but the team has struggled with injuries; defender Jurrien Timber has already left because of a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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Day had been assigned as King's legal guardian after his grandmother had a stroke, and he was later placed with the Department of Human Services after Day gave him up.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Bewildered by the change, Emily scrambles to restore their bond, implausibly teaching herself piano in a bid to impress her guardian.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Noun
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In order to receive the tax advantages of a gold IRA, the IRS requires your precious metals to be held by a qualified custodian.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
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The college currently consists of 11 officers of arms, who undertake the genealogical research and act as custodians of the records.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The free-agent market has one strong left tackle option available in Taylor Decker, who served as Stafford’s blindside protector on the Detroit Lions from 2016 to 2020.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
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Robinson is the Knicks’ top impending free agent, as his elite abilities as an offensive rebounder and rim protector make the backup center an important part of their roster.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The Supreme Court decided in 2014 that inherited IRAs do not qualify as retirement funds for purposes of federal bankruptcy protection, as beneficiaries cannot make new contributions and are often required to take distributions from the account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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But Larsen said shipping lines also need clarity on matters such as keeping ships a safe distance from each other and naval protection.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Noun
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When her father hires a young bodyguard to protect her, the disparate personalities can’t help but find themselves, well, drawn to each other.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
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Guidera played Anthony, the bodyguard alongside stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton and Andy Garcia.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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