Thesaurus results for DEFENDER

defender

noun

di-ˈfen-dər

Definition of defender

as in guardian

someone that protects one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of defender Tanook Hines tore the ball away from a Washington defender in the end zone for a 10-yard score. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Antetokounmpo remains an electromagnetic force in the paint, drawing multiple defenders and leaving shooters open in the corners. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026 Fifteen yards into his route, James dug inside, turned to catch the pass from Zabransky, and took a little jab step upfield as four Oklahoma defenders closed in. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026 The penalty was awarded after video review determined that Utah midfielder Madison Hammond fouled Louisville defender Arin Wright. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender

Noun

Martinez and Jesse became her legal guardians, and Martinez communicated every day with Rachelle’s mother, Maddison, who is still in prison.

— Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
In California, a parent or legal guardian can surrender a baby within 72 hours of birth — no questions asked — to ensure the child’s well-being, the department said.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of guardian

Noun

But without custodians, this will cease to be the case in the long term.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Between your wallet and the coffee shop sit a custodian holding your balance, a program manager running the card, a sponsor bank whose BIN it is issued under, a processor authorizing the swipe and the network that clears it.

— Shawn Yu, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of custodian

Noun

Of Miami’s seven third-and-long situations — seven-plus yards — the Dolphins utilized at least one extra protector on five of the plays, which didn’t help a winded front.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
The second a Verizon worker mentions adding a screen protector, my blood boils.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of protector

Noun

Without fiefdoms structuring the distribution of land, the division of labor, and the provision of military protection, agents of state coercion were needed to ensure that former serfs would serve as wage laborers.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The nation's flood insurance program struggles to balance affordability, flood protection and cost to taxpayers, leaving millions vulnerable at a time when climate change is driving flood risk higher.

— MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of protection

Noun

Iza typically paid Saavedra or his company around $100,000 per month for round-the-clock bodyguards, according to Saavedra’s plea agreement.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Miko served as a bodyguard for Michael Jackson and has worked for the late pop singer’s estate for over 30 years, according to The Guardian.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bodyguard

Browse Nearby Words

defended

defender

defenders

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defender

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perseverate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes