fight off

phrasal 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
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.
Bear repellent can be up to three times more potent than the pepper spray often used to fight off muggers. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025 There’s not much time to celebrate before Hyun-ju has to fight off another red player, though. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025 By a child’s second or third RSV season, their bodies are often enough to fight off the infection and develop immunity that will protect them going forward. Staff Author, Verywell Health, 27 June 2025 Others are looking to control their blood sugar or fight off free radicals in the body. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 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 5 Jul. 2025.

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