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
The Vikings mixed him in with some of the second-team defenders during minicamp.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Moussouris wrote that the capabilities Fable displayed using the Amazon technique, while potentially useful to attackers, were also vital for cyber defenders.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 June 2026
But the Cape Verde defenders packed in together tightly, and Vozinha kept his cool in net.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 15 June 2026
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation even claimed that Anne has become one of their most vocal defenders.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 15 June 2026
The squad is built to keep clean sheets and boasts defenders such as PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié, who both played in the Champions League final this year.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Pulisic made the whole sequence happen, however, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on to McKennie in the center of the box.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Within seconds, their left forward Pam Woodworth, 72, streaked past three Togolese defenders, white ponytail flopping.
—Ryan Lenora Brown, NPR, 14 June 2026
Herbert was hit more times by opposing defenders than any other quarterback in 2025.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Moussouris wrote that the capabilities Fable displayed using the Amazon technique, while potentially useful to attackers, were also vital for cyber defenders.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 June 2026
But the Cape Verde defenders packed in together tightly, and Vozinha kept his cool in net.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 15 June 2026
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation even claimed that Anne has become one of their most vocal defenders.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 15 June 2026
The squad is built to keep clean sheets and boasts defenders such as PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié, who both played in the Champions League final this year.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Pulisic made the whole sequence happen, however, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on to McKennie in the center of the box.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Within seconds, their left forward Pam Woodworth, 72, streaked past three Togolese defenders, white ponytail flopping.
—Ryan Lenora Brown, NPR, 14 June 2026
Herbert was hit more times by opposing defenders than any other quarterback in 2025.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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Robotic grid guardians Power utilities in southwestern China are using robotic snakes to inspect power lines, showcasing a new approach to infrastructure monitoring in environments where drones face limitations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
In places where the program is active, parents and legal guardians who are verified riders can create accounts for teens.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The college currently consists of 11 officers of arms, who undertake the genealogical research and act as custodians of the records.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
Obama stopped by the Jackson Park facility to hear personal stories from custodians, security guards, visitor services staffers, and more.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The first dogs served as early-warning systems, protectors, and hunting buddies.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
10 June 2026
-
The Thunder’s perimeter defense sometimes feels impenetrable and is anchored on the back line by Chet Holmgren, one of the best rim protectors in basketball.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Other protections like trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay and trip cancellation/interruption coverage can free you from needing to purchase third-party insurance at checkout.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
-
By unionizing, the group is additionally endeavoring to ensure greater job protections, more transparency about pay and promotion standards, and have more of a say in the corporate environment.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
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.—
Douglas Brinkley,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
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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.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Some of the allegations included removing protective plastic guards covering actresses’ vaginas during the filming of intimate scenes, and Franco getting angry when actresses didn’t want to go topless.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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The Pacers, too, sent wave after wave of bigger stronger guards to push Brunson off his spots and disrupt the Knicks’ flow.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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