defender

noun

di-ˈfen-dər How to pronounce defender (audio)
Definition of defendernext
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

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 defender When the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 The 13-day siege ended with Mexican troops overrunning the Texian defenders, a loss that became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup chipped the ball toward the goal from the left side, and Haaland leaped, swung his neck and headed it into the net, outjumping Brazil’s 6-foot-3 defender Gabriel Magalhães, his Premier League nemesis. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defender
  1. guardian
  2. custodian
  3. protector
  4. protection
  5. bodyguard
Noun
  • What parents can do Whether or not Pennsylvania’s bell-to-bell ban bill becomes law, parents and guardians remain central to helping children develop healthy phone habits and communication skills.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • If the school declares an emergency, students may be provided with prepared text messages to keep their parents or guardians informed.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated July 6, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • The business solution provider, on the other hand, acts as the logical custodian of critical processes.
    — Vicente Pava, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Williams has never lacked interpreters, custodians, handlers, or rescuers with pruning shears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Civic duty My family believed in government, for all its flaws, as a protector of the people.
    — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • Defense The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors.
    — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of protector
Noun
  • Talk of consumer protection could be a result of recent allegations against Miller, who joined ESPN in 2021.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The organization warned that as search-and-rescue teams begin to scale back operations, humanitarian needs—particularly food, medical care and protection services—could intensify rather than diminish.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of protection
Noun
  • All eyes on the Crab Rodríguez Castro entered through the back door of El Antojo restaurant in Old Havana several days later, flanked by bodyguards.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Lind and Little posed for this behind-the-scenes photo with Berto Colon, who plays Oreana's bodyguard, and Ray McKinnon, who stars as rancher and social misfit Dwight White.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of bodyguard

Browse Nearby Words

defended
defender
defenders
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Cite this Entry

“Defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defender. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defender

Nglish: Translation of defender for Spanish Speakers

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