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 No wonder, then, that members of some old syndicates now seek credit for barring such foreigners from their ranks, as though the yakuza were still defenders of a noble Japanese tradition. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 In keeping with the film‘s maximalist vibe, the noise around it keeps whipsawing in different directions, with defenders calling it a misunderstood masterpiece and detractors equally fervent in calling it a complete artistic disaster. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026 Several Seahawks defenders immediately confronted Greenlaw after the hit and Greenlaw responded by head-butting Jones. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Marshall’s defenders have also weighed in on the cookie scandal. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 That kind of performance — along with Jones making plays — represents a return to normalcy for fellow Broncos defenders. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 The groups similarly present themselves as armed community defenders against the government or right-wing extremists, but continue to find members who get in trouble with law enforcement. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 Line yards measures how successful an offensive line is at moving defenders off the line of scrimmage. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Chop Robinson played 50 snaps, had a sack and eight QB pressures and rated fifth of 17 Dolphins defenders. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
  1. guardians
  2. custodians
  3. protectors
  4. protections
  5. bodyguards
  6. guards
Noun
  • Every child under 18 with a Social Security number has an account in their name, but parents or guardians must claim the account on an app to receive a one-time deposit of $1,000.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Decades later, however, the guardians of the audio tapes were willing to work with Love Monday.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of guardians
Noun
  • Undeath have signed with those custodians of heavy music over at Relapse and debuted a new song for the label.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Officers emerged from that coup as the architects of the new state and cast themselves as the custodians of its national interest.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of custodians
Noun
  • But the older image of the yakuza as protectors of the community did not disappear altogether.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The grips that slide onto the back of the Joy-Con protectors are modular, too.
    — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of protectors
Noun
  • Lemon argued his actions were protected under the First Amendment’s protections for the press and protesters.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In the Central African Republic — where transgender people have little to no legal protections and are marginalized in much of society — Fuentes dons her wig only in the privacy of her bathroom.
    — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of protections
Noun
  • Iza typically paid Saavedra or his company around $100,000 per month for round-the-clock bodyguards, according to Saavedra’s plea agreement.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The biggest driver, experts say, is people, like guards stationed outside homes or bodyguards who travel with the executive.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of bodyguards
Noun
  • The overall look suggests a fuel canister, while physical features such as the bump guards that surround the front-panel buttons and the flip-up cover over the reset button recall fighter-jet controls.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Atlanta already had a franchise-record 30-win season behind it and retained a core that included All-Star guards Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard and two-time WNBA champion Jordin Canada.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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