as in guardians
someone that protects
one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of defenders
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
With 33 seconds remaining, after scoring five straight points and in possession of the ball, the Warriors used Curry’s gravity to draw defenders out of the paint, giving Gary Payton II enough space to catch a pass from Draymond Green and put in a layup for a 116-115 lead.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Chancalay flicked a low cross from near the left post through a crowd of defenders for a one-touch finish by Yeboah into a wide-open net that gave Minnesota the lead for good in the 67th minute.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Bailey was one of the nation's top collegiate defenders throughout the 2025 season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
The senior knifed his way through three defenders, then fired a bullet into the netting to give Longmeadow a 4-2 lead.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
That history sharply narrows what Disney and its defenders can plausibly say.
—Kelsey Maurine Brickl, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
With 33 seconds remaining, after scoring five straight points and in possession of the ball, the Warriors used Curry’s gravity to draw defenders out of the paint, giving Gary Payton II enough space to catch a pass from Draymond Green and put in a layup for a 116-115 lead.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Chancalay flicked a low cross from near the left post through a crowd of defenders for a one-touch finish by Yeboah into a wide-open net that gave Minnesota the lead for good in the 67th minute.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Bailey was one of the nation's top collegiate defenders throughout the 2025 season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
The senior knifed his way through three defenders, then fired a bullet into the netting to give Longmeadow a 4-2 lead.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
That history sharply narrows what Disney and its defenders can plausibly say.
—Kelsey Maurine Brickl, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
-
Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Recorded by hosts Ann Gadzikowski and Elizabeth Romanski in Chicago, this podcast is for the ears of parents, guardians, teachers, and lifelong learners around the world.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Night custodians were finishing up their rounds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The action to rescue her falls eventually to Mario and Luigi, having relocated permanently to the Mushroom Kingdom and serving as protectors of the realm, solving problems for its inhabitants.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Shiite minorities in other countries tend to view Iranian leaders as protectors and have sometimes risked personal safety to protest the war.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Coggins said the deportation violated due process rights and protections under DACA, which Estrada Juarez obtained in 2013.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Reversing those protections now would not be neutral.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Three more San Francisco police officers were assigned to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security detail last month, a few weeks after a street altercation involving one of Lurie’s bodyguards, according to a memo obtained by the Chronicle.—
David Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Apr. 2026
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The mayor, her husband and bodyguards rushed quickly through the front door and, avoiding the elevator, walked up four flights of stairs to apartment #416.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Consider installing gutter guards or screens, which help block debris from entering while still allowing water through.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
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For homeowners who want to minimize ongoing gutter work, guards represent a practical investment.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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