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 party’s rhetoric, which includes nativism and calling to move on from the shadow of the Holocaust, has ignited allegations of antisemitism from leading Jewish voices in Germany, even as the party and its defenders say its policies are ideal to keep Jews safe.
—
Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
After missing a penalty in the game’s third minute, Messi rebounded with a strike from 15 yards away in the 38th minute and an unreal dodge of multiple Austrian defenders for a second goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
In the waning seconds of injury time, Messi extended his record by sending a shot through several defenders after Schlager turned away his first attempt.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 22 June 2026
On the first, the Napoli star was taken down by multiple defenders inside the box, leaving him again looking in exasperation at referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026
Romero is as front-footed as defenders come, looking to engage at the point of contact wherever possible.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 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
Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
After missing a penalty in the game’s third minute, Messi rebounded with a strike from 15 yards away in the 38th minute and an unreal dodge of multiple Austrian defenders for a second goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
In the waning seconds of injury time, Messi extended his record by sending a shot through several defenders after Schlager turned away his first attempt.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 22 June 2026
On the first, the Napoli star was taken down by multiple defenders inside the box, leaving him again looking in exasperation at referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026
Romero is as front-footed as defenders come, looking to engage at the point of contact wherever possible.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
-
Male guardians of this ideological camp circulated defamatory letters from prison, denouncing me for unveiling and rebelling against mandatory veiling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
-
The boy found in David’s home was Martin Bischoff, a Swiss child taken years earlier from a murder scene in Geneva after the deaths of his guardians.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
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
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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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However, up to several hundred permanent employees are expected to lose jobs starting July 1 as well as about 1,000 workers without job protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
-
Johnson could provide a nice defensive partner with Flagg in the front court with Johnson’s rim protections and ability to switch on the perimeter.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The 2026 class has been considered one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory, headlined by a quartet of generational one-and-dones as well as explosive guards and elite veteran forwards.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
-
After the top four picks, the draft was considered wide open with a logjam of talented guards.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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