fence 1 of 2

noun

ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce fence (audio)
Definition of fencenext
as in wall
a physical object that blocks the way the only way to prevent motorists from trying to use that unsafe bridge is to put a fence across the road leading to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fence

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from had worked as a bodyguard, fencing a number of pop stars at big events

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fence
Noun
Aspen Hospitality has requested a city zoning amendment to allow a restaurant with a 4-foot-high fence and 19 parking spaces. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026 Same old Max, blasting a ball over the right-field fence in the sixth to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
Nowhere is this dynamic more evident than the Gaza Strip, which Israel fenced in during the 1990s and has blockaded since 2007, citing security concerns and the threat of militant attacks. — Drew Paul, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 That convenience is exactly what platform players want to sell, and what regulators are now trying to fence in. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence
  1. wall
  2. protect
  3. barricade
  4. defend
  5. barrier
  6. guard
  7. shield
  8. safeguard
Noun
  • Then there's that vast lobby with its Neoclassical columns and lush foliage wall by celeb horticulturist Charlie Albone.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As health officials monitor those in isolation, the Siberian town is waiting to see if the containment walls will hold.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of wall
Verb
  • But data, though personal and medical in nature, is not covered by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects personal electronic health data in other contexts.
    — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These women pressured local judges and sheriffs, and would actively show up to courthouses, protecting potential lynching victims with thier own bodies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Public Works is preparing for 24-hour operations, monitoring low-water crossings, dams, roadways, debris and traffic signals while staging barricades for potential road closures.
    — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • There are plenty of barricades built with the explicit goal of keeping certain types of artists from access ing those rooms.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of barricade
Verb
  • Amid the backlash, the White House has defended the television spots as public service announcements meant to educate voters and promote patriotism.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In an earlier statement to TMZ, Seaver defended his messages to Nozell, saying they had been taken out of context.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • Janie wouldn't be selling anything or hurting anyone, and RushTok naturally draws high traffic and has a low barrier to entry for new creators.
    — Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Familiarity builds quickly when the barrier to entry is a few dollars.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • The only two Heat players unavailable for Saturday’s exhibition were forward Keshad Johnson (right hamstring strain) and guard Dru Smith (right calf strain).
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The terms have been kept closely guarded, in large part because competitors would insist on comparable deals.
    — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard
Verb
  • Legal experts say the industry’s claim to be shielded by federal law is weak.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The feels-like temperature was 105 degrees, with umpires chugging water between innings and fans shielding their heads with giveaway towels on a cloudless day.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • The administration also is investigating alleged violations of parents’ right to safeguard their children from the collection of private and sensitive information at school.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Never promoting renewable energy or safeguarding us with stronger regulation.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard

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Cite this Entry

“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fence

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