fend off
verb
fended off; fending off; fends off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something)
They succeeded in fending off the attack/attackers.
They have had to fend off allegations of voter fraud.
Examples of fend off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
At the start of the fourth set, after Fonseca fended off a break point and closed the third with consecutive aces, Djokovic was shaking out his hand, seemingly because of cramp.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The hard part will be fending off the attention of gobsmacked friends at the party.
—Kathryn Streeter, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Coupled with primary victories for incumbents from the state party’s left wing who fended off more moderate challengers, Democrats are looking to capitalize on voter frustrations and national economic uncertainty to fuel their success.
—Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
At the start of the fourth set, after Fonseca fended off a break point and closed the third with consecutive aces, Djokovic was shaking out his hand, seemingly because of cramp.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The hard part will be fending off the attention of gobsmacked friends at the party.
—Kathryn Streeter, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Coupled with primary victories for incumbents from the state party’s left wing who fended off more moderate challengers, Democrats are looking to capitalize on voter frustrations and national economic uncertainty to fuel their success.
—Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend off
Cite this Entry
“Fend off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fend%20off. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
