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
In the second half, Murillo came a few feet away from equalizing after losing his defender, sprinting into some open space in the box and sending a shot just wide of the goal frame.
—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Basketball fans deserved to watch a defender whose ceiling may never have been reached.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
The low kick barely above the grass surface split two Jordan defenders into the left corner of the net.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Carr is not a point-of-attack defender, gets beat in isolation and doesn’t collect nearly as many steals for a player with his physical gifts.
—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Basketball fans deserved to watch a defender whose ceiling may never have been reached.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
The low kick barely above the grass surface split two Jordan defenders into the left corner of the net.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Carr is not a point-of-attack defender, gets beat in isolation and doesn’t collect nearly as many steals for a player with his physical gifts.
—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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The irony is that in not trying to pass muster with more conservative theatergoers (and their fastidious institutional guardians), playwrights have been winning over not just critics but also formerly squeamish artistic directors and perennially nervous Broadway producers.
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Evacuees must provide proof of evacuation, and parents or guardians must remain with their children at all times.
Noun
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The business solution provider, on the other hand, acts as the logical custodian of critical processes.
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Williams has never lacked interpreters, custodians, handlers, or rescuers with pruning shears.
Noun
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Robinson’s value is complicated, as the elite rim protector and offensive rebounder has a history of ankle surgeries, and he’s been played off of the court in the postseason due to his free-throw-shooting deficiencies.
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László Moholy-Nagy hovers low over a gaggle of pigeons, suspending the viewer uneasily between protector and predator.
Noun
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Talk of consumer protection could be a result of recent allegations against Miller, who joined ESPN in 2021.
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The organization warned that as search-and-rescue teams begin to scale back operations, humanitarian needs—particularly food, medical care and protection services—could intensify rather than diminish.
Noun
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And Willoughby has been an adorable bodyguard.
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She was born on July 15, 1998 in Monaco to Stéphanie and former royal bodyguard Jean Raymond Gottlieb.
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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