defendernoun [ C ]
uk/dɪˈfen.dər/us/dɪˈfen.dɚ/defender noun [ C ] (PROTECTOR)
someone who protects a place against attack, or who believes in and supports a person, idea, plan, etc.:
The city's defenders were outnumbered by the besieging army.
So far they have found few defenders of their point of view on campus.
More examples
- He gained a reputation as being a staunch defender of civil rights.
- She is a strict defender of Catholic orthodoxy.
- The defender launched himself at the attacking player, bringing him to the ground.
- He produced a brilliant feint, passed two defenders, and smashed the ball into the net.
- The defenders repelled the attack without losing any men.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Supporters, members & defenders
- -arian
- -ista
- apologist
- apparatchik
- benefactor
- cadre
- camp follower
- campaigner
- cardholder
- champion
- chaperone
- cohort
- company man
- contributor
- evolutionist
- initiate
- new/fresh blood idiom
- referee
- renegade
- stakeholder
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defender noun [ C ] (IN SPORT)
B2 mainly UK someone in a sports team who tries to prevent the other team from scoring points, goals, etc.:
The Brazilian attack put France's defenders under pressure.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Competitors & participants in sports & games
- back four
- benchwarmer
- boot boy
- center forward
- center half
- eleven
- fielder
- finisher
- gymnast
- outfield player
- outside forward
- phoenix club
- playmaker
- poacher
- runner
- scratch
- sprint
- squad
- underdog
- winger
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