Thesaurus results for DEFENDERS

defenders

noun

Definition of defenders next

plural of defender

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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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 defenders On most plays, Division III defenders couldn’t even stay close. —

Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 Daigneault usually boasts an 11-man rotation that features the NBA’s reigning MVP (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), a Defensive Player of the Year runner up (Chet Holmgren) and three wing defenders (Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace). —

Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 This despite the contention, from the dinner’s defenders, that the event is both a fundraiser for journalism scholarships and a robust celebration of the First Amendment. —

ABC News, 18 May 2026 Senior defenders Chase Hellie and Everett Rolph and junior goalkeeper William Russo led one of the best defenses in program history under coach Jimmy Borell. —

Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 One famous goal came in a memorable 3-1 group-stage win over Germany, when Van Basten darted to the near post to drag two defenders away, but simultaneously pointed over his shoulder to the onrushing Bergkamp. —

Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 May 2026 At times during the Sandy Brondello era, Johannes would flash her offensive firepower, but sometimes be a liability against opposing defenders. —

Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026 Jokanovic had collected 14 kills by the time the third set had ended, and one of them grazed the top of two Ball State defenders’ heads before hitting the court for the set-winner in the third frame. —

Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026 Paul Marie ran down the right side and delivered a pinpoint cross to Judd, who ran between two defenders and redirected the ball past goalie Yohei Takaoka. —

Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 10 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

Many of them will issue travel documents or approve custody decisions for a child only with the consent of all of their legal guardians, which is difficult to secure if one or both parents have been deported.

— Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Depending on the nature of the concern, that may include wellness checks, threat assessment protocols, student support interventions, disciplinary processes, safety planning, or coordination with parents and guardians.

— Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 14 May 2026