as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
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Recent Examples of fending
Sinner took their first meeting, overwhelming a streaky Jódar in the first set and fending him off for most of the second in a 6-2, 7-6(0) win Wednesday.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Those Shahed successes may accrue, at least in part, from the fact that the United States and Israel lack Ukraine’s long experience with fending them off.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma City was fending without centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, but Williams — a third-string big good enough to start on at least a handful of teams — killed Denver with his spacing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
We're stuck fending for ourselves.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Those with mobility issues — many of whom were at nursing homes — were left fending for themselves or relying on a group of Pasadena Transit bus drivers.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
Unhoused and fending for herself After Frye graduated from high school, her mother packed up and moved with the rest of family to Orlando.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
The original monster-fending crew work in newer ways to defend not only their hometown, Hawkins, Indiana, but the entire world as the Upside Down tries to break through, once again.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 28 Nov. 2025
The footage showcases William Franklyn-Mille in the role of Washington, fighting through intense battles in the French and Indian War and fending for himself in tense military meetings.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Those Shahed successes may accrue, at least in part, from the fact that the United States and Israel lack Ukraine’s long experience with fending them off.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma City was fending without centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, but Williams — a third-string big good enough to start on at least a handful of teams — killed Denver with his spacing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
We're stuck fending for ourselves.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Those with mobility issues — many of whom were at nursing homes — were left fending for themselves or relying on a group of Pasadena Transit bus drivers.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
Unhoused and fending for herself After Frye graduated from high school, her mother packed up and moved with the rest of family to Orlando.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
The original monster-fending crew work in newer ways to defend not only their hometown, Hawkins, Indiana, but the entire world as the Upside Down tries to break through, once again.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 28 Nov. 2025
The footage showcases William Franklyn-Mille in the role of Washington, fighting through intense battles in the French and Indian War and fending for himself in tense military meetings.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending
Verb
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According to Chinese media, the programs are intended to strengthen an ecological barrier protecting agricultural land across Xinjiang.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
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So leaders end up protecting themselves against the visible mistake and ignoring the invisible one.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Caneiro's two daughters also testified, defending their father.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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Janarius Robinson was in Foxboro on Tuesday for a workout with the defending AFC champions, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Let conversation improve the work instead of guarding it too tightly.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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The former South Carolina standout handled the ball well and showcased her ability to attack the rim when a slower defender was guarding her.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Patrick Gallagher, who earned the Navy Cross during the Vietnam War for heroically shielding his fellow Marines from a live grenade.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
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At one point in the video, a man holding a young girl in a pink dress could be seen shielding her from the violence unfolding around them.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The commitment is aimed broadly at expanding education on forms of discrimination, supporting cross-community leaders who build trust and safeguarding free speech rights to lawful expression.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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However, thanks to the efforts of courageous youth advocates, there is hope in safeguarding youth health.—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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