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
Now, with some help from the defenders behind them, Cleveland’s pitchers have paved the way for a last-gasp run at a playoff spot.
—
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The city has become a fortress, and Ukrainian defenders are doing everything possible to prevent it from falling.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Defensive line Zach Sieler played 45 of Miami’s 60 defensive snaps, and PFF rated him 16th among Miami’s 20 defenders.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
McMillan, who isn’t known for his breakaway speed, zoomed past defenders for a 40-yard gain, setting up the Panthers for their first points of the afternoon.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
After unleashing two monster stiff arms on defenders to break free, Canto-Osorio scampered along the left sideline and tried to beat the last defender to the pylon.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Arguing further against a lopsided game, two Eagles defenders who wrecked Kansas City’s blocking in the Super Bowl have moved on.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s defenders and critics sparred over whether the signature resembled his own.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Moore attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Caleb Wiliams over the middle of the field, when he was pulled down by defenders.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The city has become a fortress, and Ukrainian defenders are doing everything possible to prevent it from falling.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Defensive line Zach Sieler played 45 of Miami’s 60 defensive snaps, and PFF rated him 16th among Miami’s 20 defenders.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
McMillan, who isn’t known for his breakaway speed, zoomed past defenders for a 40-yard gain, setting up the Panthers for their first points of the afternoon.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
After unleashing two monster stiff arms on defenders to break free, Canto-Osorio scampered along the left sideline and tried to beat the last defender to the pylon.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Arguing further against a lopsided game, two Eagles defenders who wrecked Kansas City’s blocking in the Super Bowl have moved on.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump’s defenders and critics sparred over whether the signature resembled his own.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Moore attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Caleb Wiliams over the middle of the field, when he was pulled down by defenders.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
-
In 2016, the Mans petitioned to become Natalia’s legal guardians; however, a hearing was required to determine whether Natalia was a minor or a legal adult.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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The shop also mentors and trains locals to be guides and guardians of their backyard coastline.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Two centuries ago, the Litunga (king) turned what had been his private hunting grounds over to his people as custodians.—
Mazuba Kapambwe,
AFAR Media,
10 Sep. 2025
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From ETFs pulling in tens of billions to companies adding bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their balance sheets, demand for trusted custodians is set to accelerate.—
Marie Poteriaieva,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The nonprofit has served more than 1,000 Indigenous youths from 20 endangered rivers, with a goal to inspire them to become the next generation of water and river protectors.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Last season, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses graded out positively at Pro Football Focus, while Campbell and Wilson were in college, and Garrett Bradbury ranked among the NFL’s worst pass-protectors among all centers.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Other consumer advocates agree that more protections are needed.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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More than half of CMOs said they were focused on strengthening data privacy and protections over the next two years, up from around four in 10 in the previous year’s survey.—
Tom Barkley,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hamas confirmed that six people were killed in the Doha strike, including the son of senior leader Khalil al-Hayya, his chief of staff and three bodyguards.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One of her bodyguards was killed in a shootout.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, surrounded by guards to prevent him from fleeing to a foreign embassy to request asylum.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
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The latter option is particularly tantalizing because both guards offer valuable skills that could help a playoff hopeful be even more formidable in 2025-26.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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