as in guardian
someone that protects
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
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 defender
The relationship these defenders had with the river runs deep—not only in terms of sustenance, but also the collective knowledge of her cycles and moods going back generations.
—
Bridget Crocker
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
In the 87th minute, Seattle forward Emery Adames took a chest pass from Jess Fishlock, moving up the field, twisting and turning around defender Kennedy Wesley.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Jaques’ 22 points in 25 games tied her with Ottawa’s Renata Fast for most by a defender this season, and her 0.88 points-per-game led the league.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
Florida captain Aleksander Barkov evaded his defender and dished a backhanded pass to Verhaeghe, who slotted home the conference-winning goal.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
Bridget Crocker
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
In the 87th minute, Seattle forward Emery Adames took a chest pass from Jess Fishlock, moving up the field, twisting and turning around defender Kennedy Wesley.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Jaques’ 22 points in 25 games tied her with Ottawa’s Renata Fast for most by a defender this season, and her 0.88 points-per-game led the league.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
Florida captain Aleksander Barkov evaded his defender and dished a backhanded pass to Verhaeghe, who slotted home the conference-winning goal.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
-
Moving beyond the initial cost of raising a child, higher education costs typically come prior to the parent/guardian retiring.—
David Kudla,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Police confirmed with county officials that the paternal grandmother was the legal guardian of the girl with sole custody pending the June court appearance.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
What Comes Next With Stitzel Reserve, the distillery is reaffirming its place not just as a producer, but as a custodian of bourbon legacy.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
The 37,000 members of Local 3299 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, include groundskeepers, custodians, MRI technologists and respiratory therapists.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The Thunder have a first-team all-defense honoree in Lu Dort, a second-team member in Jalen Williams, one of the league’s best rim protectors in Isaiah Hartenstein and an elite perimeter stopper in Alex Caruso.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
4 June 2025
-
Andy has appointed himself the protector of his younger stepsister, Piper (Sora Wong) — a role that has included everything from protecting her from other girls’ mockery to hiding the fact that their father has been abusing him.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
These practices reach into Puerto Rican communities, especially on the island, where many Dominican residents face constant discrimination and few protections.—
Maria Revelles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
The other is to gain antitrust protection through collective bargaining with unionized athletes as employees, which the NCAA has continually resisted.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Ventura said Combs and a bodyguard put on black clothing and armed themselves.—
Jenna Sundel
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
-
Spending on bodyguards is likely to increase after the murder of an insurance executive last year.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share