fight off
verb
fought off; fighting off; fights off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something) by fighting or struggling : to avoid being harmed or overcome by (someone or something) by fighting or struggling
They fought off the attack/attackers.
I'm trying to fight off a cold.
Examples of fight off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers on Wednesday published a hint that a drug used for an autoimmune disease may help hantavirus patients fight off the most deadly symptoms.
—
ABC News, 3 June 2026
The 18-year-old Barnard College student was stabbed multiple times while attempting to fight off her attackers, who were three middle school boys.
—Corin Cesaric, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
After struggling on the field last season and battling injuries for the second year in a row throughout the campaign, Guyton could have to fight off young talent behind him on the depth chart.
—Nick Harris
june 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2026
After fighting off those who called him a diva, after fending off those who called him the second coming of Terrell Owens, Brown is leaving Philadelphia in such a way that will not spare him from being crudely cast in those caricatures.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fight off
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ABC News, 3 June 2026
The 18-year-old Barnard College student was stabbed multiple times while attempting to fight off her attackers, who were three middle school boys.
—Corin Cesaric, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
After struggling on the field last season and battling injuries for the second year in a row throughout the campaign, Guyton could have to fight off young talent behind him on the depth chart.
—Nick Harris
june 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2026
After fighting off those who called him a diva, after fending off those who called him the second coming of Terrell Owens, Brown is leaving Philadelphia in such a way that will not spare him from being crudely cast in those caricatures.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fight off
Cite this Entry
“Fight off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight%20off. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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