as in walls
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
had worked as a bodyguard, fencing a number of pop stars at big events
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 fences
Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Staff move fences as the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle Final is postponed due to heavy snow in Livigno.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
Realistically, this Red Sox team isn’t built to swing for the fences, but that doesn’t mean the club won’t be capable of popping a few out from time to time.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Good fences make for good neighbors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent changes to Kauffman Stadium — fences moved in ~10 feet and walls lowered — are expected to boost power modestly.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
At least a quarter of the time, the drama really does relate to fences or walls or just general boundary disputes.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
That is due to both the new additions and the club’s decision to move the outfield fences in at Kauffman Stadium.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, no shame in swinging for the fences for Giannis.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Heavy sunflowers weeping over fences; iris curling and browning at the edges far away from their purple hearts; ears of corn letting their auburn hair wind down to their stalks.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Staff move fences as the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle Final is postponed due to heavy snow in Livigno.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
Realistically, this Red Sox team isn’t built to swing for the fences, but that doesn’t mean the club won’t be capable of popping a few out from time to time.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Good fences make for good neighbors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent changes to Kauffman Stadium — fences moved in ~10 feet and walls lowered — are expected to boost power modestly.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
At least a quarter of the time, the drama really does relate to fences or walls or just general boundary disputes.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
That is due to both the new additions and the club’s decision to move the outfield fences in at Kauffman Stadium.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, no shame in swinging for the fences for Giannis.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fences
Noun
-
The two princesses have carved out successful lives beyond palace walls.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The medical office walls are lined with bright flower-power murals inspired by Marimekko designs, with breeze block in the background for a mid-century Californian look.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This violates the 4th Amendment, which protects people (including noncitizens) from unreasonable searches and seizures in their homes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The plant cell wall protects the carbs from dissolving in water.—
Michaeleen Doucleff,
NPR,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Reducing meetings to once a month and limiting public comment create barriers.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Last year’s blitz of bills, capping off years of gradual legislative efforts to remove regulatory barriers to building dense housing across California, has, in Wicks’ view, teed up this next big swing.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While some critics have dismissed de Jesus' work as simplistic, Evaristo defends her unconventional style.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Somehow, the right to protest became an expression of an ideology that defends criminality.—
Roger Van Zanen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
But the two candidates most likely to lead Bangladesh into a post-Hasina future are a far cry from those who risked everything on the barricades and in the streets to topple her.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Typically secured with buttons, snaps or zippers, the cover shields the duvet from everyday wear and tear.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The council went on to say the federal agents wearing masks shields them from accountability.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The other two are occupied by undrafted rookie guards Curtis Jones and Tamar Bates.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Rookie guards Max Shulga and John Tonje, the latter acquired from Utah in the Boucher trade, are Boston’s other two-way players.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Physical activity safeguards your heart, helps stave off metabolic disease, and improves your strength and stamina.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Beadlock 18-inch wheels sit in beefy 40-inch tires at every corner, and favorable approach, departure, and breakover angles—obviously a must on the dunes—are complemented by a low-drag shell that also safeguards stability.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fences. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
