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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The All-Pro defensive tackle agrees to a six-year, $135-million deal, which surpasses Von Miller’s contract in Denver as the new benchmark for defenders. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 El Sayed’s defenders have sought to justify the comments, noting the attacker lost family in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 That ability to learn may ultimately separate successful defenders from unsuccessful ones. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Miami got off to a promising start, taking a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when Casemiro, who lined up as a center back, leaped above Montreal defenders and scored on a header off a Telasco Segovia corner kick. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 Bellingham, who scored Madrid’s first goal of the season, got the first again Sunday after surging past a couple of Malaga defenders and shooting past goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero from a narrow angle. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Two Chiefs defenders who helped their case for the roster on Friday night were cornerback Kristian Fulton and defensive tackle Marcus Harris. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 To follow Nied’s score, Knowles leaped over two defenders, falling near the pylon. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Most of the Giants’ defenders gathered in the infield, hoping for the safe call to be overturned. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

The film imagines a colorful, family-friendly realm concealed just under the surface of video games themselves, populated by a covert guild of guardians tasked with keeping each title operating and preserving every player’s journey.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Parents or guardians of babies born between 2025 and 2028 who open an account, which is tax-deferred, will receive the $1,000 initial deposit from the Treasury.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of guardians

Noun

Today, fifth-generation Fiorentinos are the custodians of this old-world, grandest of grand hotels, nearing its 200th anniversary.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Many of them had saved money while toiling as farmworkers, cooks, custodians and construction workers.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

The Overton window for acceptable AI use in Hollywood continues to widen as Hollywood actors, television hosts, and influencers embrace cloning with protections and compensation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Projects would also face limits on air pollution and requirements related to clean backup power, green building standards and worker protections.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

In true Renaissance fashion, the two were surrounded by their yeomen, personal bodyguards to the nobles.

— Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
The Dutch police assigned round-the-clock bodyguards to protect Tahmasbi and began shuttling him through a series of safe houses.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bodyguards

Noun

Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Health officials also advised residents to place draft guards underneath doors, make sure exterior doors closed tightly and keep doors and unscreened windows closed, especially while sleeping.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of guards

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“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenders

noun

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