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
Boston defender Rylind MacKinnon was fined $500 by the league for an incident that ensued in the Fleet's 4-0 victory over the Toronto Sceptres on Friday night.
—
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jones is an elite defender who can score through doubles and junk defenses, and is lethal from 3, shooting 41% from distance in her career.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
To cap the scoring run, Gianna Kneepkens flipped a pass to Betts, who spun around for a layup as defenders attempted to drag her down.
—Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The elite scoring skills of Blakes, who has a strong sidekick in freshman point guard Aubrey Galvan, could be tested by one of the nation’s best defenders.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jones is an elite defender who can score through doubles and junk defenses, and is lethal from 3, shooting 41% from distance in her career.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
To cap the scoring run, Gianna Kneepkens flipped a pass to Betts, who spun around for a layup as defenders attempted to drag her down.
—Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The elite scoring skills of Blakes, who has a strong sidekick in freshman point guard Aubrey Galvan, could be tested by one of the nation’s best defenders.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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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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Hernandez listed herself as Ruben’s guardian or emergency contact in paperwork with North Shore Medical Center, Golden Glades Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Larkin Community Hospital — though Ruben and Carmen were married.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jimenez, who works as a custodian, said that shopping at the non profit's market saves her family a lot of money.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Night custodians were finishing up their rounds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 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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These connections raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility, and protection across borders for so long.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 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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The bodyguard who allegedly confronted soccer star Jorginho’s stepdaughter during an encounter with Chappell Roan in São Paulo, Brazil over the weekend has issued a mea culpa for the incident and taken full blame.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2026
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Continue reading … VETTING FAILURE — Far-left firebrand dodges questions over hiring bodyguard with criminal history.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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