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
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
In the 11th minute, SDFC threatened to take a 2-0 lead when Valakari split a pair of Minnesota defenders before blasting a low attempt from the top of the box.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Wisconsin’s pressure was just as impressive while defending, with forwards applying tons of back pressure to help their defenders.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
One of the best defenders in the world, a WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Rodrigo De Paul lifted a long cross past several defenders to Silvetti, who timed a perfect shot with his right foot past Horvath.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Hackers often break into systems by figuring out ways to exploit flaws in software, leading to an endless back-and-forth where attackers will look for new opportunities and defenders try to update their code to block them.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
The All-Big 12 defense guard has been a key cog the last two seasons for the Horned Frogs as one of the best defenders in the country.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Bailey was one of the nation's top collegiate defenders throughout the 2025 season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
In the 11th minute, SDFC threatened to take a 2-0 lead when Valakari split a pair of Minnesota defenders before blasting a low attempt from the top of the box.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Wisconsin’s pressure was just as impressive while defending, with forwards applying tons of back pressure to help their defenders.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
One of the best defenders in the world, a WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Rodrigo De Paul lifted a long cross past several defenders to Silvetti, who timed a perfect shot with his right foot past Horvath.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Hackers often break into systems by figuring out ways to exploit flaws in software, leading to an endless back-and-forth where attackers will look for new opportunities and defenders try to update their code to block them.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
The All-Big 12 defense guard has been a key cog the last two seasons for the Horned Frogs as one of the best defenders in the country.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Bailey was one of the nation's top collegiate defenders throughout the 2025 season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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If one or both parents or guardians can't be present, additional documentation showing their consent is required.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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The Federalist Society and its liberal cousin, the American Constitution Society, serve as guardians of the separate ecosystems in which the jurists live, socialize, and build their reputations.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents roughly 30,000 support staff, including bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and special education assistants, met with the district Thursday for a mediation session.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The District 130 school board is set to spend up to $150,000 on an outside custodian contract that its own custodians claim the district does not need.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Remove sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors and any covers.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Your Mattress Strip Bedding and Wash on Hot Start by removing all bedding — sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors and any toppers.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In addition to a requirement for a warrant to access Americans' data, critics also want greater protections on how the FBI or other agencies can search communications and how that is reported to the public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Two federal lawsuits have been filed in Florida challenging the requirement, arguing that requiring documentary proof of citizenship and marking that status on identification violates constitutional protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The video shows Robinson, also known as Mike King, and Crockett's other bodyguards allegedly assaulting two men at a public event while Dallas police officers appeared to stand by, refusing to intervene.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Three days later, Rich Kelly, the Marshals Service’s associate director for operations, authorized the waivers, granting the bodyguards an exception to the usual eligibility requirements.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Suarez will be fighting for time on a roster that is loaded with forwards and big guards.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Pebley believes her Latson will learn a lot from two of the craftiest guards in the game.—
John Davis,
Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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