FENDED Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

fended

verb

past tense of fend

as in defended

to drive danger or attack away from learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 fended Video captured the bear charging toward Koerwitz, who fended it off with bear spray. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 While his mom was in prison, Young and his older brother, Robert, mostly fended for themselves, often in a home that lacked electricity and running water. — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 Most of the refugees from the region fended for themselves in shanty towns around Baku, despised by the urbanites even as their plight was weaponized. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Alternatively, the young might have fended for themselves, similar to lizards. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fended

Verb

The government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, however, has defended the response of rescue teams.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
City officials defended the report as a routine effort to inform council members about infrastructure investments.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defended

Verb

Alex Pretti’s parents say the Justice Department has stonewalled them for nine months and shielded the federal officers who fatally shot their son, a Minneapolis intensive care nurse.

— Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Permission to enter does not mean someone qualifies for asylum or is shielded from extradition.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of shielded

Verb

The script has been closely guarded in the period leading up to next week’s AFM in Los Angeles in ways generally reserved for the biggest IP.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
Instead, my mother ferociously guarded her friendships with open-minded neighbors.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026