Thesaurus results for DEFENDERS

defenders

noun

plural of defender

as in guardians

someone that protects one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender

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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 And the two players in the Heat’s starting unit who haven’t yet earned that honor — Mitchell and Wiggins — are both considered quality perimeter defenders. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Smith tracked the pass from Julian Sayin and outjumped two defenders in the end zone for his 12th touchdown catch of the season and the 39th of his three-year college career. — Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 But the Hurricanes passer evaded FSU defenders on a key play early in the second quarter, escaping two would-be tacklers and throwing downfield to a wide-open Daylyn Upshaw for a 44-yard gain. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 That allowed Ojeda, just inside the top of the 18-yard box, to chip a first-touch pass over four defenders to a charging Griezmann on the give-and-go for a first-touch finish from 7 yards out. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026 Defensive end George Karlaftis led all Chiefs defenders with 11, including the game’s most important one — beating three blockers to get to Kirk Cousins and force a bad throw that KC’s Xavier Nwankpa intercepted to seal the win. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Brunson beats defenders with skill and not size, relying on footwork, fakes and spins that create angles to get his shot off against taller defenders. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Tiffany Hayes, Gabby Williams and Kaitlyn Chen were living in the lane during the semifinals, but Canada and Gray are sturdier defenders at the point of attack. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2026 But the Hang Seng is up, and defenders say Beijing will ensure Hong Kong’s success. — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defenders

Noun

Four students were involved in a physical fight Thursday morning, sending one student to a local hospital with undisclosed injuries, according to a message sent to parents and guardians.

— Renee Anderson, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
When one of her for-hire guardians speaks of her past as a musician, playing the pianoforte (piano) for enraptured listeners, Adelaide is entranced.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of guardians

Noun

This includes medical staff at state prisons, technology specialists at California Highway Patrol and custodians at state hospitals.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Undeath have signed with those custodians of heavy music over at Relapse and debuted a new song for the label.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of custodians

Noun

The measure extends those protections to public ways within 1,000 feet of court facilities, while preserving an exception for arrests made under a valid judicial warrant.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The allegations against him remain unproven, and he is entitled to the full protections of the United States Constitution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Noun

Iza typically paid Saavedra or his company around $100,000 per month for round-the-clock bodyguards, according to Saavedra’s plea agreement.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
The biggest driver, experts say, is people, like guards stationed outside homes or bodyguards who travel with the executive.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bodyguards

Noun

The fan guards inside the walk-in cooler had accumulated dust.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The original 1971 experiment was conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo, who arbitrarily split volunteers into two groups—inmates and guards—and observed how power corrupted them.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of guards

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“Defenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defenders. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defenders

noun

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