fend off
phrasal 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
Left to fend for himself in Chicago, Kevin gets into hijinks, including elaborate booby traps to fend off a pair of intruders who try to rob his home.
—
Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The cold dry air can also impact our ability to fend off illnesses, according to Johns Hopkins University.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Thankfully, Mikkelsen’s grizzled nonchalance and Fuller’s tonal approach fend off sappiness.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
In Albuquerque, incumbent Democratic Mayor Tim Keller is seeking to fend off a challenge from Republican Darren White, a former sheriff, in his race for a third term.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend off
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Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The cold dry air can also impact our ability to fend off illnesses, according to Johns Hopkins University.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Thankfully, Mikkelsen’s grizzled nonchalance and Fuller’s tonal approach fend off sappiness.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
In Albuquerque, incumbent Democratic Mayor Tim Keller is seeking to fend off a challenge from Republican Darren White, a former sheriff, in his race for a third term.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
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 24 Dec. 2025.
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