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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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 Below, Nico O’Reilly is on the goal line at the far post, away from the eye line of the opposition defenders, who are preoccupied with his team-mates. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 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 The move puts a pair of Manchester City defenders — Stones and Marc Guehi — in England's opening 11 against Norway star striker Erling Haaland, who also plays for the same club. — ABC News, 11 July 2026 Incoming ballistic missiles can travel at several kilometers per second, leaving defenders with only a narrow engagement window. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 There were warning signs blinking about the quality of the defenders for weeks and on Monday those prophecies were fulfilled. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

Some child daycare programs can be exempt from licensing if parents and guardians are on the same premises and if they are not operated on certain sites, including malls or ski facilities.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
The department also warned that minors are not exempt from prosecution and said parents or guardians may be held legally or financially responsible for damage caused by their children.

— Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of guardians

Noun

Previously, Circle needed third-party banks and custodians to hold the cash and Treasury assets backing USDC.

— Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 10 July 2026
The deals, reached to avert a strike in April, promised double-digit raises to teachers, aides, custodians and other workers.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

Orders for vacuum batteries (up 62%), mobile phone screen protectors (up 44%), and home game console replacement parts (up 38%) took off in early summer shopping.

— Vidhi Choudhary, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Defense The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors.

— Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of protectors

Noun

On Friday, a group of affected workers and advocates gathered at the Broward airport to call for an extension on the protections of over 350,000 Haitians and other TPS holders.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
When OpenAI launched its Sora video app last fall with limited likeness protections, SAG-AFTRA condemned it, and OpenAI backed away within days.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

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
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

Definition of bodyguards

Noun

The Lakers were eliminated by Oklahoma City, who relied on standout performances from young guards Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell to overcome a quiet series from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an injury to Jalen Williams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Armed guards routinely patrol outside synagogues, Jewish community centers and schools.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of guards

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“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenders

noun

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