defender

noun

di-ˈfen-dər How to pronounce defender (audio)
Definition of defendernext
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

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 The 13-day siege ended with Mexican troops overrunning the Texian defenders, a loss that became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 When the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Balogun, a star striker who has scored three goals so far in this year’s tournament, received a red card and was ejected from last week’s US game against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul against a defender. — Yash Roy, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Before signing a one-year, $12 million deal with San Francisco, Arraez graded out as one of the worst defenders in baseball since making his debut. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
  1. guardian
  2. custodian
  3. protector
  4. protection
  5. bodyguard
Noun
  • All of these titles were chosen based on parental and guardians’ reports of the subjects’ favorite programs.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • The family had been living on Shikoku island in Japan – a country where, until a law change this April, only one parent could be considered a child’s legal guardian after divorce.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Assets in a custodial account may be considered the child's, even though a parent or other adult serves as the custodian.
    — Elizabeth Gravier,Dan Avery, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • The union represents over 250,000 classified public school employees, like bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, para-educators, clerical staff and campus security guards.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • The Wolves have one of the NBA’s best rim protectors (Rudy Gobert).
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Several times each year, His Holiness requests guidance from Kuten La, who in his role as State Oracle serves as mouthpiece for Nechung, an ancient deity and Tibet’s spiritual protector.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Asking the people with the least protection to spend the most courage is the most respectable alibi available to anyone with a title.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Still, locals hope the mountain’s cultural and natural wonders will secure it a place and will play a role in securing more protection for the mountain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of protection
Noun
  • The two were snapped doing a grocery haul at Whole Foods with a bodyguard.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • In this episode, a woman named Evelyn (Kaja Chan), who works in Silo 18’s marketplace, helps the authorities find Mayor Juliette, who has intentionally escaped from her bodyguard.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of bodyguard

Browse Nearby Words

defended
defender
defenders
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Cite this Entry

“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defender

Nglish: Translation of defender for Spanish Speakers

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