defenders

defenders — noun

1. a person who protects a place, a person, or an idea from harm, attack, or unfair

1.名詞B1
釋義

a person who protects a place, a person, or an idea from harm, attack, or unfair criticism

例句

Huang has always been a passionate defender of the village's ancient customs and festivals.

defender + of + abstract noun (customs, ideals)

The soldiers acted as the last defenders of the mountain pass during the siege.

defender + of + physical location

同義詞
  • protector

    more directly about physical safety; defender has a wider range including ideas and principles

  • guardian

    implies a legal or lifelong responsibility, not just a chosen role

  • advocate

    focuses on speaking out in support rather than physical protection

反義詞
  • attacker

    someone who actively harms or criticises what the defender protects

  • opponent

    a person who is against an idea that the defender supports

文法句型

defender + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by 'of' to specify what is being protected — e.g. a defender of democracy, a defender of the weak. The subject (the person) is usually presented as acting out of principle or duty.

常見錯誤

❌She is a defender from human rights.
✅She is a defender of human rights.
💡Use 'of', not 'from', to introduce what is being protected.
❌The police are defenders for the city.
✅The police are defenders of the city.
💡Use 'of', not 'for', after defender.

2. a player on a sports team whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring

2.名詞B1
釋義

a player on a sports team whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring points, goals, or runs

例句

The team signed two new defenders in the winter window to strengthen the back line.

defenders + team recruitment context

Thiago is the fastest defender on the team and rarely lets forwards get past him.

adjective + defender + on/in [team]

同義詞
  • back

    used especially in football and rugby; slightly informal and positional

  • full-back

    a specific type of defender on the left or right side of the field

  • centre-back

    a defender who plays in the middle of the defensive line

反義詞
  • forward

    an attacking player whose job is to score, opposite to the defender's role

  • striker

    a forward whose main job is to score goals, the direct opponent of a defender

文法句型

defender + for [team]

defender + in [position/formation]

用法筆記

Common in football (soccer), rugby, hockey, and basketball. Specific roles include 'central defender', 'full-back', and 'centre-back'. Frequently used with team or position prepositions: 'defender for', 'defender in'.

常見錯誤

❌He is a defender of the basketball team.
✅He is a defender on the basketball team.
💡Use 'on' not 'of' for team membership in sports.