protector

noun

prə-ˈtek-tər How to pronounce protector (audio)
Definition of protectornext
as in guardian
someone that protects the quarterback counted on the right guard as his main protector

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 protector Robinson’s value is complicated, as the elite rim protector and offensive rebounder has a history of ankle surgeries, and he’s been played off of the court in the postseason due to his free-throw-shooting deficiencies. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 László Moholy-Nagy hovers low over a gaggle of pigeons, suspending the viewer uneasily between protector and predator. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 26 June 2026 Krypto is one of the protectors of the universe, like Sagittarius, which is why the Superdog is one of the most interesting stars of the movie. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 The 6-11, 237-pound senior center from Virginia could be worth a flier as an elite rim protector with a nearly 7-5 wingspan. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for protector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protector
  1. guardian
  2. defender
  3. custodian
  4. protection
  5. bodyguard
Noun
  • What parents can do Whether or not Pennsylvania’s bell-to-bell ban bill becomes law, parents and guardians remain central to helping children develop healthy phone habits and communication skills.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • If the school declares an emergency, students may be provided with prepared text messages to keep their parents or guardians informed.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated July 6, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of defender
Noun
  • The deals, reached to avert a strike in April, promised double-digit raises to teachers, aides, custodians and other workers.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • That said, in practice, most IRA custodians will have their own documentation requirements.
    — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • That victory led, four years later, to the Coastal Act and creation of the Coastal Commission, whose job was to balance sensible development, habitat protection and conservation, and equitable public access.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • The lightweight formula is 95% naturally derived, blending vitamin E with antioxidant-rich apricot for hydration and free-radical protection.
    — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Definition of protection
Noun
  • All eyes on the Crab Rodríguez Castro entered through the back door of El Antojo restaurant in Old Havana several days later, flanked by bodyguards.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Lind and Little posed for this behind-the-scenes photo with Berto Colon, who plays Oreana's bodyguard, and Ray McKinnon, who stars as rancher and social misfit Dwight White.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of bodyguard

Browse Nearby Words

protective
protector
protectorate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protector. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on protector

Nglish: Translation of protector for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All