fend

verb

ˈfend How to pronounce fend (audio)
Definition of fendnext
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 fend Neither was capable of providing for citizens made desperate by endless war and endemic poverty, who were often left to fend for themselves. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 In order to test him during his childhood, his parents do everything from shooting an apple off his head to leaving him stranded in a dangerous part of town, forcing John to fend for himself. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 The announcement is the latest fallout from the botched handling of the calls on July 27 that left the elderly woman fending for herself against her attacker for more than three hours. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Accredited schools are required to either provide clinical placements or help students find them, but many skate by doing the bare minimum, leaving students to fend for themselves. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
  1. protect
  2. defend
  3. safeguard
  4. shield
  5. guard
Verb
  • Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Go rebound the basketball, go protect the rim, be a big big for us.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Its formula features Concentrated Miracle Broth, antioxidant-rich Lime Tea Concentrate, and Clarity Algae to help defend against free radicals and improve discoloration.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Verb
  • On the other hand, automation can optimize the return on human capital if it is used to eliminate low-value tasks while safeguarding the organization’s long-term human innovative capacity.
    — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In 2023, amidst the collapse of Credit Suisse, Ermotti returned to lead UBS, spearheading the historic emergency acquisition of Credit Suisse to safeguard Swiss financial stability.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Fluorine atoms shield the carbon backbone like interlocking armor plates.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • The Heat’s four Exhibit 10 contract players are Ausar, center Kylor Kelley, forward Gabe Madsen and guard Bez Mbeng.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The most direct tribute to Tippett came in the battle against two giant droids guarding an overlord’s chamber.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard

Phrases Containing fend

Browse Nearby Words

fencing (in)
fend
fended
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Cite this Entry

“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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