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
Analysts emphasize that compact MRBMs like this can be moved, hidden, and fired from multiple platforms, forcing defenders to respond with costly, rapid-fire shots.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
But the administration has plenty of defenders; some are already satisfied following Monday’s smaller-group briefing.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Land defenders will invariably be outspent and outgunned by their opponents.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Dominguez had a great run through multiple defenders early in the second half but couldn’t connect with a teammate for a quality shot on goal.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
There are 45 edge defenders who are set to become unrestricted free agents in March, per spotrac.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
JSerra inbounded the ball, six JSerra players went into the frontcourt against five Inglewood defenders.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Many city Democrats quickly took the position that this showed bad management by Stewart, while Stewart’s defenders slammed the action as a political smear.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
The Minnesota Wild star split two Canadian defenders and got his shot past Binnington.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Feb. 2026
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
But the administration has plenty of defenders; some are already satisfied following Monday’s smaller-group briefing.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Land defenders will invariably be outspent and outgunned by their opponents.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Dominguez had a great run through multiple defenders early in the second half but couldn’t connect with a teammate for a quality shot on goal.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
There are 45 edge defenders who are set to become unrestricted free agents in March, per spotrac.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
JSerra inbounded the ball, six JSerra players went into the frontcourt against five Inglewood defenders.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Many city Democrats quickly took the position that this showed bad management by Stewart, while Stewart’s defenders slammed the action as a political smear.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
The Minnesota Wild star split two Canadian defenders and got his shot past Binnington.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.—
Adriana Morga,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
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The president of a university or college would be able to appoint the school guardians.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Of the 221 positions being cut — which include paraeducators, assistants, clerks, custodians, special-education staff, food service staff and more — 88 are already vacant, the district said.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Classified employees — or non-teaching staff who support school operations such instructional aids, paraprofessionals, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers — will not hold a collective sympathy strike, although individual members are legally allowed to do so.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Duren, the team’s starting center, is now one of the league’s best rim protectors and, at twenty-two, an All-Star.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
What begins as petty extortion turns into control of the local drug trade, as the girls style themselves as protectors of the poor and enemies of the corrupt.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both OpenAI and Anthropic say users’ health information is kept separate from other types of data and is subject to additional privacy protections.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Insurance or credit card protections may reimburse certain nonrefundable expenses, but only if the situation isn’t excluded under the policy.—
Scott Campbell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After a further firefight, the Special Forces team captured the cartel leader and two of his bodyguards.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Oseguera Cervantes and at least two bodyguards fled toward cabins in the pine woods outside of Tapalpa, Trevilla Trejo said.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Still, the Wildcats are led by a trio of dynamic guards, highlighted by Otega Oweh.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
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Even thicker padding guards the lower lumbar.—
Corey Buhay,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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