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
At 6-9, 325, Burke is a massive player who looks to overwhelm defenders on every snap.
—
Dane Brugler, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Kyle Louis and Michael Taafee will be effective nickel defenders at linebacker and safety and should provide special teams help, as well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Jokic ran from one end of the court to the other to shove McDaniels, who labeled all of the Nuggets bad defenders after Game 2.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The public defenders proposed legislation earlier this year — it was made moot by the moratorium — that would have closely regulated the use of AI report writing technology.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Boston ended the quarter with a 33-18 lead after Tatum slithered through three Sixers defenders for a dunk, then shot an outlet pass to Jordan Walsh for a transition layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Dane Brugler, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Kyle Louis and Michael Taafee will be effective nickel defenders at linebacker and safety and should provide special teams help, as well.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Jokic ran from one end of the court to the other to shove McDaniels, who labeled all of the Nuggets bad defenders after Game 2.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
The public defenders proposed legislation earlier this year — it was made moot by the moratorium — that would have closely regulated the use of AI report writing technology.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Boston ended the quarter with a 33-18 lead after Tatum slithered through three Sixers defenders for a dunk, then shot an outlet pass to Jordan Walsh for a transition layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders
Noun
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Police urged parents and guardians to speak with their students about any potential interaction with Faulkner and to relay information to the Wauconda Police Department Investigations Division at (847) 865-0399.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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None of the minors were taken into custody as officers attempted to notify their guardians, according to police.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The midcentury abode was transferred to custodians of the McCann Trust that holds the property in 2022 and, after hitting the market April 10 for nearly $3 million, a contingent offer for its sale has already been accepted.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
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Animal care specialists, groundskeepers, patrol officers, seasonals, aides, and custodians represented by Teamsters Local 727 are seeking pay increases and minimum staffing guarantees from the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Since floors like vinyl are prone to scratching, Stein always recommends adding furniture protectors to the bottom of your furniture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
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Stripping and washing all bedding — including duvet covers, mattress protectors and pillow shams — is one of the most impactful tasks on any spring cleaning list.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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Revisiting maps mid-decade for political advantage runs directly against both the spirit and the plain language of those protections.—
Dan Daley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguards Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The crew took a break for lunch and the two actors, with their bodyguards, rode back to the shore on separate jet skis.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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