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
The 38-year-old Argentine captain delighted the home crowd in the 17th minute, converting a free kick with a bending left-footed shot that went beneath Nashville’s jumping wall, through the space the defenders left open and past helpless goalkeeper Joe Willis.
—
Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Known as one of the league’s most physically imposing defenders, Suh’s aggressive style earned him both accolades and multiple league penalties.
—Tobias Bass, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Gunn forgoes the familiar origin story, dropping us three years into Superman's tenure as Earth's mightiest defender.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 11 July 2025
The Americans win 5-4 in penalty kicks, with defender Brandi Chastain kicking in the game winner.
2010 — Paula Creamer wins her first major tournament, never giving up the lead during a steady final round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Known as one of the league’s most physically imposing defenders, Suh’s aggressive style earned him both accolades and multiple league penalties.
—Tobias Bass, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Gunn forgoes the familiar origin story, dropping us three years into Superman's tenure as Earth's mightiest defender.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 11 July 2025
The Americans win 5-4 in penalty kicks, with defender Brandi Chastain kicking in the game winner.
2010 — Paula Creamer wins her first major tournament, never giving up the lead during a steady final round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
Noun
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The deaths of at least 27 children and staff at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas have some parents and guardians questioning the safety of summer camps, especially as global warming increases risks of extreme weather.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
18 July 2025
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All 17 plaintiffs are former foster youth or parents or guardians of former foster youth, and are listed in court documents as John Doe or Jane Doe plaintiffs.—
Theresa Clift
July 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
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The asset manager has evolved from a portfolio custodian to a business unit leader—closer to the CEO of the asset than to an administrator.—
Aurele Gouy,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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The shooting claimed the lives of head of school Katherine Koonce, 59; custodian Mike Hill, 61; substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61; and third-graders Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs, the Covenant Presbyterian pastor’s daughter.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Leading the list of coming innovations are AI serving as protectors, professors, and partners.—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Youth learn firsthand from Klamath river protectors During the kayak journey's ending ceremony at Requa and a celebration the next day in Klamath, the young paddlers learned about how the Klamath River restoration process began.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Salmon and other fish populations, deprived of hundreds of miles of quiet pools to lay their eggs and for the juvenile fish to survive and thrive, shrank by about 95%, which led the federal government to enact protections for some salmon populations.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
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Never reuse passwords across platforms, and update them regularly for maximum protection.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Hours later, her bodyguard found her body in bed and called emergency services, who pronounced Winehouse dead around 4 p.m. local time.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Chief among them: Gene Deal, Combs’ former bodyguard.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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