PUBLIC DEFENDER Synonyms: 26 Similar Words

public defender

noun

Definition of public defender

as in district attorney

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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 public defender At Tuesday's arraignment, Hartbower was also assigned a public defender. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Bryant has not entered a plea, and her public defender, Greg Murphy, said in court he has not yet been provided with evidence needed to evaluate the government's case against her. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 While almost every county in the state has a public defender office, most post-conviction cases are handled by private lawyers who are paid hourly, by the case or by the year and work with little to no supervision. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026 His father told his public defender there was no reason to wait around. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public defender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for public defender

Noun

The group said the man’s daughter provided documents confirming his death, which have been turned over to the district attorney.

— Lekan Oyekanmi, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Jeffrey Royer was an FBI agent from 1996 to 2001 and defrauded investors by falsely representing how their funds would be used and fabricating documents about their investments' performance, according to the district attorney's office.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of district attorney

Noun

Before giving up law completely, Ponder still dipped her toes in the craft, pulling double duty as a trial lawyer by day and moonlighting in projects like Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People by night.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Oct. 2026
In August, the State Department announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal over their involvement in the court’s investigation of Israel’s war in Gaza.

— Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of trial lawyer

Noun

True to the life of a much-sought-after criminal lawyer, Reddington has also represented prominent clients who weren't able to beat the charges against them.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Heather told me that a criminal lawyer advised her to invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege at the Holbrook trial.

— Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminal lawyer

Noun

Clay County’s deputy chief prosecuting attorney, Spencer Curtis, was appointed by the North Kansas City Council to fill the position, effective as of midnight on Wednesday.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
In exchange, the state agreed to drop a murder charge, according to the Franklin County prosecuting attorney.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of prosecuting attorney

Noun

Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
According to the Justice Ministry, of the roughly 2,400 people arrested since Saturday, more than 800 have been sent before prosecutors, most of whom were either put on trial immediately or ordered to appear at a later hearing.

— Tom Nouvian, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of prosecutor

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“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20defender. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of public defender

noun

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