A defender is someone who stands up for a cause or person, often in a difficult situation. The term can be broken down into several different words that all mean the same thing: a BACKER is someone who supports a cause or person, a HERO is someone who is brave and selfless, an ADVOCATE is someone who speaks up for a cause or person, a HELPER is someone who assists a cause or person, a GUARD is someone who watches over a cause or person, a DEVOTEE is someone who is devoted to a cause or person, a GUARDIAN is someone who looks after a cause or person, an APOLOGIST is someone who defends a cause or person, and a PROTECTOR is someone who safeguards a cause or person. All of these words describe someone who is willing to stand up for something or someone, and they all fit the definition of a defender.