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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Recent Examples of defenders
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The waves of defenders and effort feel endless.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The public defenders proposed legislation earlier this year — it was made moot by the moratorium — that would have closely regulated the use of AI report writing technology.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Boston ended the quarter with a 33-18 lead after Tatum slithered through three Sixers defenders for a dunk, then shot an outlet pass to Jordan Walsh for a transition layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves ran multiple defenders at Murray.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Musiala beat two defenders on the left before crossing for Guerreiro’s tap in in the 31st, then Luis Díaz unselfishly set up Jackson for Bayern’s second after a mistake from Finn Jeltsch left three attackers facing one Stuttgart defender.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The waves of defenders and effort feel endless.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The public defenders proposed legislation earlier this year — it was made moot by the moratorium — that would have closely regulated the use of AI report writing technology.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Boston ended the quarter with a 33-18 lead after Tatum slithered through three Sixers defenders for a dunk, then shot an outlet pass to Jordan Walsh for a transition layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves ran multiple defenders at Murray.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Musiala beat two defenders on the left before crossing for Guerreiro’s tap in in the 31st, then Luis Díaz unselfishly set up Jackson for Bayern’s second after a mistake from Finn Jeltsch left three attackers facing one Stuttgart defender.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
-
If one or both parents or guardians can't be present, additional documentation showing their consent is required.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Federalist Society and its liberal cousin, the American Constitution Society, serve as guardians of the separate ecosystems in which the jurists live, socialize, and build their reputations.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Under the agreement, the Sheridan School District will re-recognize the union and add classified staff — such as custodians and paraprofessionals — to the bargaining unit.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The news comes as Broadway production company Seaview announced the acquisition of the revival rights from the new custodians of the Tennessee Williams estate.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Denver believes strongly in its ability to develop pass-protectors, so this would be an interesting development project.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
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The intent was to reduce the size of shoulder pads and chest protectors and slim down the pants to give skaters more places to aim at while not taking away from netminders’ safety.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The District Attorneys Council approached some lawmakers earlier this year, concerned that legislators would look at their immunity next, and Raynes acknowledged that his group was generally worried about their protections.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Uploading patient records to AI bots Some health systems have adopted AI chatbots to improve patient care, promising doctors safety and privacy protections.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The video shows Robinson, also known as Mike King, and Crockett's other bodyguards allegedly assaulting two men at a public event while Dallas police officers appeared to stand by, refusing to intervene.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Three days later, Rich Kelly, the Marshals Service’s associate director for operations, authorized the waivers, granting the bodyguards an exception to the usual eligibility requirements.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Allen now makes and sells Safe Soss (pronounced like sauce), which include carbon filters or guards for attics and vents, fiberglass heat-resistant ember-stopping tape and a spray fire retardant that can work from a garden hose, all of which recently became available at a major hardware chain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
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The lugs and crown guards are decorated with yet more diamonds.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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