Thesaurus results for DEFENDERS

defenders

noun

plural of defender

as in guardians

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

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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 defenders Here on five minutes, for example, Spain lose possession, and their deepest defenders are momentarily caught up the pitch. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 July 2026 The low block—where teams massed defenders rigidly behind the ball—not so much. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 However, the number of 6-foot-9 players who can beat defenders off the dribble with quickness can be counted on one hand. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 Despite handwringing from the powers that be, genre defenders argued that was a literary history behind Sky of Love and its contemporaries. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 When they are probed by agentic AI, defenders receive an alert. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 Off a cross from Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham shook off defenders en route to the left side of the box, and buried home a left-footed shot toward the far post. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026 Some individual defenders have played well, but on the whole, the defense has been abysmal, and it can’t be blamed solely on injuries to players like Lindor and Marcus Semien. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

The Austrian government has said the best use for the building would be the presence of the police as guardians of civil liberties.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Parents and guardians should have open and ongoing conversations, rather than one big conversation, according to Mann.

— Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of guardians

Noun

American Alternative Assets works with several custodians — including Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust and Madison Trust — each with its own fee schedule.

— Javier Simon, USA Today, 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 custodians

Noun

Six legs and a center support help create a stable foundation, while linen protectors cover the rail ends and floor-friendly glides help prevent scratches on hard floors.

— Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
The Wolves have one of the NBA’s best rim protectors (Rudy Gobert).

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of protectors

Noun

The reality is that Australia’s protections are designed to improve over time in three ways.

— Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026
Her platform prioritizes policies focused on human rights such as pathways to citizenship, access to medical care, more affordable housing and protections for LGBTQ Kansans, according to her website.

— Sofi Zeman July 17, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

His teammates - more akin to bodyguards this summer - do the dirty work, which leaves Messi to focus solely on unlocking the opposition’s defense with his unrivaled quality.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
All eyes on the Crab Rodríguez Castro entered through the back door of El Antojo restaurant in Old Havana several days later, flanked by bodyguards.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of bodyguards

Noun

Cots, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizing tablets, and bed guards are offered, as well as babysitting services, swimming lessons, complimentary non-motorized water sports, and blended baby food especially prepared by the chef.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
On Saturday, Reeve commended the team’s centers but found the guards struggling to make anything work on the defensive end.

— Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

Definition of guards

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“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenders

noun

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