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defender

defender

252 2.8
A person who protects someone or something from harm
  • noun
  • /dɪˈfɛndər/
translation icon : defensor
  • We are the defenders of the city in the world.
  • a public defender
  • assistant public defender
  • a federal public defender

So we were there, five of us defenders against Azza.

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Examples

  • Once I sign on, I become the most intense defender of the Disappeared.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • As I approached the top of the circle, the first defender took a step forward.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • America is the defender of important global values.

  • Yeah, the public defender mentioned that.

  • Let the public defender handle your case.

  • The Minnesota National Guard issued new uniforms and paid their defenders of freedom once a month.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • But they had become the defenders of the indigenous population by around the 1530s.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You know, Hansen was the best defender I've ever played against.

  • The greatest defender of this approach was Immanuel Kant.

  • Hollis Doyle is the greatest defender of free speech this nation has ever seen.

Synonyms

guardian
vsdefender
347 2.8

A person who looks after and protects someone or their things

is broader and includes anyone who stands up or cares, not only legal duty
champion
vsdefender
156 3.7

A person who strongly supports a cause or another person

is more about basic standing up or caring rather than strong advocacy
protector
vsdefender
129 2.8

A person who defends and cares for another person or thing

is more about actively standing up for someone rather than only guarding them
vindicator
vsdefender
1 8.7

A person who defends a belief, policy, or organization against criticism

focuses more on standing up or caring broadly rather than explaining or proving worth
protectress
vsdefender
1 7.5

A woman who keeps people or places safe

is the neutral, non gendered term used for the same role
upstander
vsdefender
1 6.8

A person who speaks up to help others or stop unfair treatment

is more general, covering any standing up or care, not only injustice cases
defensor
vsdefender
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who protects people and places, often in history or official roles

is the everyday, general way to say the same role

Antonyms

167 2.5

A person who tries to hurt someone or damage their things

Compounds

55 3.8

A lawyer who represents people who cannot pay for one in criminal cases

1 9.9

A title used by the British king or queen to show they protect the Church of England

How Protective

protector
129 2.8
champion
156 3.7
defender
252 2.8
ally
996 2.8
supporter
817 1.0

Surface Forms

defender singular
defenders plural

Morphology

defender = defend (transparent) = defend + er

Standard agent noun formation from the verb 'defend'; 'defender' straightforwardly means 'person who defends'.

Etymology

Defender comes from the Latin word defendere, made of de- 'off' and fendere 'to push away'. Think of the simple English phrase 'fend off' — a defender 'fends off' danger, so a defender is someone who protects or stands up for someone.