as in guardians
someone that protects
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
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Recent Examples of defenders
Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Brown was called for 10 offensive fouls — most of them push-offs against Philadelphia 76ers defenders — in the Celtics’ seven-game first-round series, which ended Saturday with a 109-100 loss at TD Garden.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
There are just a few attackable Thunder defenders.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 4 May 2026
As in utilize them to attack the opposition’s weakest defenders, just as opposing teams have gone at the Heat’s Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Kyle Louis and Michael Taafee will be effective nickel defenders at linebacker and safety and should provide special teams help, as well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Jokic ran from one end of the court to the other to shove McDaniels, who labeled all of the Nuggets bad defenders after Game 2.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Even his most reliable defenders and apologists were growing weary of the talk about these tariffs, which are only just now starting to be felt.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Brown was called for 10 offensive fouls — most of them push-offs against Philadelphia 76ers defenders — in the Celtics’ seven-game first-round series, which ended Saturday with a 109-100 loss at TD Garden.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
There are just a few attackable Thunder defenders.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 4 May 2026
As in utilize them to attack the opposition’s weakest defenders, just as opposing teams have gone at the Heat’s Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Kyle Louis and Michael Taafee will be effective nickel defenders at linebacker and safety and should provide special teams help, as well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Jokic ran from one end of the court to the other to shove McDaniels, who labeled all of the Nuggets bad defenders after Game 2.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Even his most reliable defenders and apologists were growing weary of the talk about these tariffs, which are only just now starting to be felt.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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There are exemptions for certain groups, such as parents or guardians of children under age 14 and those with disabilities.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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Investigators urged parents and guardians to speak with their children about any interactions with Willer and to contact law enforcement with information.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The union, which represents animal care specialists, patrol officers, custodians, groundskeepers, patrol officers, aides and seasonal workers, said the zoo's last contract offer would have taken away their health care plan without providing a comparable alternative.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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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
Noun
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The Blue Jays added one of the best rim protectors in the Big East in former Providence center Oswin Erhunmwunse, as well as guards Wes Enis from USF, BJ Davis from San Diego State and Kayden Edwards from TCU.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
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The triumvirate of protectors got Romans into testing that proved his IQ was off the charts and found programs that helped his mother learn how to navigate his needs.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Noun
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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Revisiting maps mid-decade for political advantage runs directly against both the spirit and the plain language of those protections.—
Dan Daley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Flores Silva’s bodyguards dispersed as a diversionary tactic, but he was found while trying to hide in a drainage pipe.—
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguards Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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