as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Editors’ Picks Review: Clooney, Fair and Balanced, in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’
When Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, the Dutch royal family and top state officials fled to Britain, leaving the country’s civil administration to fend for itself.
—
Nina Siegal, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Relationships between states shift with political winds and so, amid catastrophe, each state is left to fend for itself.
—Kelly McKinney, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
But Rhodes felt that she was left to fend for herself.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Families who rely on these safeguards would be left to fend for themselves in a patchwork system of inconsistent policies and underfunded programs.
—Lissette Fernandez, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend
Nina Siegal, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Relationships between states shift with political winds and so, amid catastrophe, each state is left to fend for itself.
—Kelly McKinney, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
But Rhodes felt that she was left to fend for herself.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Families who rely on these safeguards would be left to fend for themselves in a patchwork system of inconsistent policies and underfunded programs.
—Lissette Fernandez, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
Verb
-
Open for just 24 hours, starting April 24, the project is meant to humanize the harms of social media use among young children and call for governments and private companies to act urgently to protect online spaces for young users.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The mitts feature a long cuff to protect your arms from the heat.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In a twist from the first Trump administration, which tried to kill Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law, Trump's Justice Department is defending the law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
But López Obrador has defended hydrocarbons since his youth, and the energy reform became a rallying cry for MORENA.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
These timely and precise reports are crucial for the National Weather Service, aiding in the delivery of accurate weather warnings that help safeguard both lives and property.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Apr. 2025
-
China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The secrecy of the conclave is designed to shield the vote from external pressures, Faggioli said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
More broadly, endowments can help shield schools from financial hardships and maintain their long-term reputations.—
Todd L. Ely,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Specifically, the Swiss Guard accompanies the pope to public appearances, guards Vatican City and protects the College of Cardinals during a conclave (the election of a new pope), according to The Holy See.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
He was trained throughout his time as a junior officer to protect and guard the nation’s secrets.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share