as in guardian
someone that protects
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defender
Courage defender Felicitas Rauch was handed a straight red card in second half stoppage time for violent conduct on Haley Hopkins.
—
ABC News, 2 May 2026
Weaving into the attacking zone on a four-on-two, Müller switched lanes from the outside and collected a pass from Eldridge while splitting a pair of Charge defenders.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
But the two best defenders in the series were the last men standing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
One exception is Minnesota Wild defender Jake Middleton, and to an even greater extent, his brother, Colorado Avalanche farmhand Keaton Middleton.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
ABC News, 2 May 2026
Weaving into the attacking zone on a four-on-two, Müller switched lanes from the outside and collected a pass from Eldridge while splitting a pair of Charge defenders.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
But the two best defenders in the series were the last men standing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
One exception is Minnesota Wild defender Jake Middleton, and to an even greater extent, his brother, Colorado Avalanche farmhand Keaton Middleton.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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Time spent in hair, makeup and wardrobe count as work, and a parent or guardian must stay close to the child on set.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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The law also expands background checks for adults living with guardians and would create an independent advocate position in the Attorney General's Office to handle complaints and review child welfare practices.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The midcentury abode was transferred to custodians of the McCann Trust that holds the property in 2022 and, after hitting the market April 10 for nearly $3 million, a contingent offer for its sale has already been accepted.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
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Animal care specialists, groundskeepers, patrol officers, seasonals, aides, and custodians represented by Teamsters Local 727 are seeking pay increases and minimum staffing guarantees from the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If your recliner is old and worn, that age will clearly show with a protector.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Denver lost its two best rim protectors, who also supplied the bulk of its offensive baseline production via cuts for dunks and lobs and corner 3-point shooting.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On almost any other night, being without Town’s playmaking or Robinson’s rim protection and rebounding dominance would tank the Knicks.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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Which means all the due process protections afforded to defendants in criminal courts do not necessarily apply to non-citizens facing deportation.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Her former bodyguard Ken Wharfe and royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter are also contributing, according to Variety.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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Dermot Mulroney is Chuckie Nicoletti, Sam Giancana’s bodyguard and the Outfit’s most notorious South Side hitman.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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