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

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 defenders Moroz is a big winger with a high skill level who is often able to beat pro defenders with his one-on-one play. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Different UAVs could handle deception, electronic warfare, or attack missions, making defenders deal with several types of threats in the air. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026 Sixteen different Broncos offensive players landed a 64 grade (out of 100) or better by Pro Football Focus’ grading wonks, and 25 different defenders. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026 Presumptive key defenders Drue Tranquill, Chamarri Connor, Mansoor Delane, L’Jarius Sneed and Ashton Gillotte didn’t play. — Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026 Mehmeti tapped a pass through a trio of defenders to Forsberg, who beat goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos one on one. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 Thompson has proven that so far in Chargers training camp, sprinting around defenders and maximizing his 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame in passing drills. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Similar technologies will increasingly allow defenders to hunt vulnerabilities, test controls and respond to attacks at machine speed. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The Kenyan defensive midfielder then knifed between a trio of Madison defenders, finding himself 1-on-1 with Harms. — Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
  1. guardians
  2. custodians
  3. protectors
  4. protections
  5. bodyguards
  6. guards
Noun
  • The law requires districts developing their policies to obtain input from teachers’ representatives, administrators and parents or guardians.
    — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The legislation calls for children who need to contact their parents or guardians to use a school phone.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of guardians
Noun
  • Zuckerberg is referencing OpenAI and Anthropic, which operate on the premise that hyper-smart AI is both inevitable and apocalyptic—and therefore safe only in the hands of the wisest custodians (themselves).
    — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Two school custodians have been found shot dead in a Chicago elementary school, according to Chicago ABC station WLS.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of custodians
Noun
  • Layered on top is rhetoric, from the highest levels of government, that casts career scientists as adversaries rather than protectors.
    — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Jets drafted Armand Membou to be one of their quarterback’s protectors.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of protectors
Noun
  • But the fate of Mangione’s state case, set to go to trial next month, now hangs in the balance as his attorneys seek to get second-degree murder and weapons charges dismissed over double jeopardy protections.
    — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Compared with federal law and that of other states, New York has uncommonly strong protections for defendants facing multiple prosecutions — though they are not guaranteed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of protections
Noun
  • The slayings also caused caution among stars and socialites, who began working more often with bodyguards and security details.
    — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of bodyguards
Noun
  • While rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling held up pretty well, Panthers reserve guards Chandler Zavala and Brady Christensen got beaten up inside.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026
  • McEnroe’s testimony is particularly important, Sullivan explained, because while some of the other eyewitnesses were MSG guards or had been employed by MSG at some point, McEnroe had no such ties to the defendant.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of guards

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Cite this Entry

“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defenders

Nglish: Translation of defenders for Spanish Speakers

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