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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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 America’s children are tomorrow’s workers, innovators, caregivers, leaders, and defenders. — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026 Among 17 Dolphins defenders on Sunday, PFF rated Phillips third, Sieler 12th and Biggers 15th. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 Brais Méndez bent a shot from just outside the penalty area around two defenders that was parried by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who finished with two saves, but Thiaré slammed home the first-touch putback from the top of the 6-yard box. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 He was sandwiched between two Lions defenders while trying to make a catch, then stayed on the turf for several moments before walking to the sideline with trainers. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026 Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, who was 12-for-29 passing for 129 yards and an interception, tossed a final deep ball out of the back of the end zone as time expired, setting off a celebration by Wisconsin defenders. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 On the Cougars’ next possession, Grant threaded a pass through two Cavalier defenders, finding Kyion Rattler for an apparent 55-yard score. — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman who killed her three children, has set off a furor of public scrutiny – of both the troubled mother and the medical establishment her defenders say failed to provide adequate mental healthcare. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026 Miami also elevated two edge defenders, Clelin Ferrell and Max Llewellyn from the practice squad to the game-day roster. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

Martinez and Jesse became her legal guardians, and Martinez communicated every day with Rachelle’s mother, Maddison, who is still in prison.

— Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
In a dystopian Madrid where children become the legal guardians of their parents, María confronts the system when her mother is admitted to La edad menor, an irreversible process of infantilization.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of guardians

Noun

However, those lawyers said custodians are not legally required to make charities open accounts to receive funds.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
The solution for most Americans retiring in Europe is to work with a cross-border financial advisor who has established relationships with custodians that support overseas Americans.

— Shane Clark, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

And look for Maxx Crosby to feast against the Chargers’ pass protectors who couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of Herbert’s backfield.

— Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Chief among Zoe’s longtime protectors are her rancher husband, William Macon (Garret Dillahunt), Billy and Kerry.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of protectors

Noun

Orphan drug protections apply narrowly to the rare disease and do not apply when the same drug is developed for a common disease.

— John Mildenberger, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Opponents argue the proposal weakens environmental protections, stifles community input and could fast-track projects like data centers and freeways.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Iza typically paid Saavedra or his company around $100,000 per month for round-the-clock bodyguards, according to Saavedra’s plea agreement.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
The biggest driver, experts say, is people, like guards stationed outside homes or bodyguards who travel with the executive.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bodyguards

Noun

The Heat opted to move forward with filling its roster this week instead of plotting a pursuit of the available veteran free agents, a group including guards D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and Ryan Nembhard.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned afterward that the league had given a heads-up about this push — which focuses on everything from visors to neck guards to, of course, jerseys — a few weeks earlier.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of guards

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“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenders

noun

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