as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
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Recent Examples of forfend
What’s non-negotiable is that it must be made using a kettle, never — heaven forfend — a microwave.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfend
Verb
-
The soft, warm material will protect against drafts that creep into one’s home, and the chunky yarn adds a nice texture when layered over coaches, chairs, and beds.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Distribution of factual and lawfully obtained public information is generally protected by the First Amendment, according to Zick.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One American star who will not be participating is four-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, who recently signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Rather than leave, community leaders rallied to defend the site, leading to the creation of Sakura Square and Tamai Tower on the block bounded by Larimer, 20th, Lawrence and 19th Streets.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The data was protected with BitLocker, software that’s automatically enabled on many modern Windows PCs to safeguard all the data on the computer’s hard drive.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Looking ahead, the partners predicted that digital platforms will play a vital role in safeguarding trust in textile certifications.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For decades, my Grandma Alice’s husband would beat her, and on the lucky days, her kids watched, waited in the wings to break them up, to shield her with the hull of their growing bodies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The statement-making lip stood out underneath her cherry cola curls, which shielded her eyes from the camera.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Diggy Coit, who scored 43 points Sunday in Maryland's win over Penn State, was held to 15 points and guarded primarily by Stojakovic.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
An unsung hero for Burlington was junior forward Leon Sekandi, who exhibited grit and determination while guarding Sarpong, who is an incredibly tough matchup at 6-foot-7.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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