as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
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Recent Examples of fend
The officer pushes Johnson backward and tries to fend him off with a baton and Taser, but Johnson continues to charge at him, and the two fall to the ground.
—
Max Levy, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Dust, debris, and hair can gather over time, but fabric softener is one way to fend these things off.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2025
On-screen text follows, reminding us that the virus laid waste to the UK, which was quarantined to contain the evil, with survivors there being left to fend for themselves.
—Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
With the Trump administration now turning its sights on security challenges in the Middle East and China, Europe has been left to fend for itself, and for Ukraine, and finds itself in a more precarious position.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend
Max Levy, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Dust, debris, and hair can gather over time, but fabric softener is one way to fend these things off.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2025
On-screen text follows, reminding us that the virus laid waste to the UK, which was quarantined to contain the evil, with survivors there being left to fend for themselves.
—Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
With the Trump administration now turning its sights on security challenges in the Middle East and China, Europe has been left to fend for itself, and for Ukraine, and finds itself in a more precarious position.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
Verb
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Today the act protects more than 2,300 plant and animal species in the US and abroad.—
Christine Peterson,
Wired News,
5 July 2025
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The show, based on a novella by the author Martha Wells, follows a snarky private-security cyborg (played by Alexander Skarsgård) assigned to protect a group of scientists investigating a mostly uncharted planet.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
5 July 2025
Verb
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The medium-to-long-range layer, David’s Sling, has replaced Patriot batteries supplied by the United States, defending against both aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles using a missile called Stunner.—
Sebastien Roblin,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Thanks to the oceans on either side of us, the frozen wasteland to the north, and a gentle behemoth to the south, no one thought much about having to defend our borders.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Following the case law and detailed criteria for trust classification and instituting best practices can safeguard individuals’ trusts’ domestic status and avoid unintended tax and liability consequences.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.—
Time,
Time,
1 July 2025
Verb
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While Chávez consistently denied involvement in drug trafficking, his administration fostered ties with guerrilla organizations and was accused of shielding FARC leaders and cocaine shipments.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2025
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The main compartment is protected by a zipper, while the outside is made of a water-repellent fabric that will shield your wallet from the elements.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Healthcare providers use it to guard sensitive patient data and meet strict compliance standards.—
Bhupendra Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Chen finished with a career-high 10 points and drew the assignment of guarding Ariel Atkins, the Sky’s leading scorer in the fourth quarter.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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