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
Galarza sent a cross to Enciso, who was unmarked by Germany's defenders and easily headed it past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
—
Kyle Hightower,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The ringleader is Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders of his generation with Liverpool, who has captained the Oranje for a national record 72 appearances and represented the Dutch national team for a decade.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
He’s flanked by more individually talented defenders than ever, with Cason Wallace disrupting ballhandlers and Alex Caruso as versatile as any of the team’s guard defenders.
—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
For defenders, a subsidy regime this complex is vulnerable not only to broad repeal, but to administrative friction.
—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The low kick barely above the grass surface split two Jordan defenders and went into the left corner of the net.
—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Coach Bora Milutinovic’s strategy of packing the field with defenders, starting only one forward, seemed to be paying off.
—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
28 June 2026
The party’s rhetoric, which includes nativism and calling to move on from the shadow of the Holocaust, has ignited allegations of antisemitism from leading Jewish voices in Germany, even as the party and its defenders say its policies are ideal to keep Jews safe.
—
Toby Axelrod,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
After missing a penalty in the game’s third minute, Messi rebounded with a strike from 15 yards away in the 38th minute and an unreal dodge of multiple Austrian defenders for a second goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
Kyle Hightower,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The ringleader is Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders of his generation with Liverpool, who has captained the Oranje for a national record 72 appearances and represented the Dutch national team for a decade.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
He’s flanked by more individually talented defenders than ever, with Cason Wallace disrupting ballhandlers and Alex Caruso as versatile as any of the team’s guard defenders.
—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
For defenders, a subsidy regime this complex is vulnerable not only to broad repeal, but to administrative friction.
—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The low kick barely above the grass surface split two Jordan defenders and went into the left corner of the net.
—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Coach Bora Milutinovic’s strategy of packing the field with defenders, starting only one forward, seemed to be paying off.
—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
28 June 2026
The party’s rhetoric, which includes nativism and calling to move on from the shadow of the Holocaust, has ignited allegations of antisemitism from leading Jewish voices in Germany, even as the party and its defenders say its policies are ideal to keep Jews safe.
—
Toby Axelrod,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
After missing a penalty in the game’s third minute, Messi rebounded with a strike from 15 yards away in the 38th minute and an unreal dodge of multiple Austrian defenders for a second goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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Instead, the decision is left to parents and guardians.
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For minors who are 16 or 17, parents or guardians must be consulted in the decision-making process, but their consent is not required.
Noun
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Williams has never lacked interpreters, custodians, handlers, or rescuers with pruning shears.
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Some custodians give checkbooks to IRA owners.
Noun
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Krypto is one of the protectors of the universe, like Sagittarius, which is why the Superdog is one of the most interesting stars of the movie.
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The first dogs served as early-warning systems, protectors, and hunting buddies.
Noun
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However, up to several hundred permanent employees are expected to lose jobs starting July 1 as well as about 1,000 workers without job protections.
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Johnson could provide a nice defensive partner with Flagg in the front court with Johnson’s rim protections and ability to switch on the perimeter.
Noun
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Upon leaving the White House in March 1909, Roosevelt presented the canvas to his chief disbursing officer, Crook, who had served as one of Lincoln's personal bodyguards during the final year of his life.
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Members of the Jalisco cartel have been charged with orchestrating the attack and several of Manzo’s bodyguards were arrested for possible participation.
Noun
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The 2026 class has been considered one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory, headlined by a quartet of generational one-and-dones as well as explosive guards and elite veteran forwards.
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After the top four picks, the draft was considered wide open with a logjam of talented guards.
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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