What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defender
Example
The soldiers acted as defenders of their country against the enemy. [defenders: noun]
Example
The goalkeeper is the last line of defense for the team. [defense: noun]
Example
She is a defender of animal rights and speaks out against cruelty. [defender: noun]
guardian
Example
The court appointed her as the guardian of her niece after her sister passed away. [guardian: noun]
Example
The castle was protected by a fierce guardian dragon. [guardian: adjective]
Example
The security guard is the guardian of the building and ensures that no unauthorized persons enter. [guardian: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defender is more commonly used than guardian in everyday language. Defender is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while guardian is less common and is typically used in the context of legal or child custody situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defender and guardian?
Guardian is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, while defender can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
