FEND (OFF) Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

fend (off)

verb

Definition of fend (off)

as in to repel

to drive back the herd fended off attacking hyenas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend (off)

Verb

Some microbiomes attracted the skeeters; others repelled them.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

Its rugged silicone exterior is IP67-rated to resist water, dust, and drops, while the flexible utility strap easily clips onto backpacks, handlebars, or coolers.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Lee and his Burning co-writer Oh Jung-mi resist what might have been the first instinct of many filmmakers by refusing to make Ye-ji and Sang-woo overly patronizing rich jerks.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

Climbers who have not reached the summit by noon should turn back, the sheriff’s office said, giving themselves — and rescuers, if needed — enough daylight to get off the mountain.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
But this is about Folk, the 41-year-old whose right leg could be the Falcons’ biggest point of improvement from last season and a 19-year veteran who has somehow, someway, turned back the clock.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

This is not true; no technology or social evolution is inevitable, and even some young people are already turning away from them.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
In three more states, many eligible families who applied were simply turned away.

— Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn away

Verb

The two-day event at the American Airlines Center is the first of its kind and has been touted as a way to rally the base ahead of the midterm elections, when Republicans are hoping to stave off losses in the House and Senate.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
There was a sense that only significant deals could stave off the double threat of the Austrian’s outbursts over transfers destabilising the team midway through the campaign and Palace tumbling into a relegation battle.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stave off

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.

Browse Nearby Words

fending (off)

fend (off)

fends

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fend (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend%20%28off%29. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fend (off)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes