as in guardian
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
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Recent Examples of defender
Walker's agility led to him receiving the Buck Buchanan Award for being the top defender in the FCS.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
The Valkyries missed Thornton, who spent the first half of the season guarding the other team’s top player and being an elite help-side defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
Campbell managed to drive edge defenders back during run-heavy stretches of 11-on-11s and started all of those periods.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025
The Dolphins can save cap space in the short term by working out long-term deals for the duo of talented veteran defenders.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
The Valkyries missed Thornton, who spent the first half of the season guarding the other team’s top player and being an elite help-side defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
Campbell managed to drive edge defenders back during run-heavy stretches of 11-on-11s and started all of those periods.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025
The Dolphins can save cap space in the short term by working out long-term deals for the duo of talented veteran defenders.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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The deaths of at least 27 children and staff at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas have some parents and guardians questioning the safety of summer camps, especially as global warming increases risks of extreme weather.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
18 July 2025
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All 17 plaintiffs are former foster youth or parents or guardians of former foster youth, and are listed in court documents as John Doe or Jane Doe plaintiffs.—
Theresa Clift
July 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
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The district's plan doesn’t require support staff, like front office, custodian or cafeteria workers, to reapply for their jobs.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Parents or account custodians could place up to an additional $5,000 in post-tax contributions annually into the account, which would invest in index funds.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Leading the list of coming innovations are AI serving as protectors, professors, and partners.—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Youth learn firsthand from Klamath river protectors During the kayak journey's ending ceremony at Requa and a celebration the next day in Klamath, the young paddlers learned about how the Klamath River restoration process began.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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A couple of kids hid behind their parents’ legs for protection.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
1 Aug. 2025
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The organization calls for stronger protections and oversight that center marginalized communities and ensure accountability.—
Wes Kilgore,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Hours later, her bodyguard found her body in bed and called emergency services, who pronounced Winehouse dead around 4 p.m. local time.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Chief among them: Gene Deal, Combs’ former bodyguard.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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