Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Thesaurus

defender

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of DEFENDER

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

Synonyms custodian, defender, guard, guardian, guardian angel, protection

Related Words bodyguard, champion; lookout, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watchdog, watchman; conserver, harborer, keeper, preserver, saver

Learn More About

Dictionary: Definition of "defender"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "defender"

Nglish: Translation of "defender" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "defender" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up defender? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated