as in protecting
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 fending
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
Fighting off predators, fending for food, and living in rugged terrain with harsh conditions – this was not a means of living for the weak.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Fighting off predators, fending for food, and living in rugged terrain with harsh conditions – this was not a means of living for the weak.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending
Verb
-
The bill aligns forest practices with the state’s 30×30 goals for environmental protection and reducing climate risk by protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030.—
Evan Mills,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Jones was federally charged in 2022 with agreeing to take bribes from a red-light camera company executive in exchange for protecting the company from adverse legislation in Springfield.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Venezuela’s bullpen, which was dominant in its quarterfinal upset over defending champion Japan on Saturday and its semifinal win against tournament darling Italy on Monday, picked up where Rodriguez left off.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Venezuela overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit after rebounding from a three-run hole to beat defending champion Japan in a quarterfinal and reached the final for the first time after losing to South Korea in its only previous semifinal appearance in 2009.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The soldiers would have stayed as sentries before and after the performance, symbolically guarding the legacy of Taiwan’s founder.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In Bridges’ defense, he is routinely tasked with guarding the opposing team’s most dangerous perimeter scorer — a role that naturally comes with an offensive trade-off.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Independent of being a parent who works from home, Meghan is also conscious of shielding her team from the distraction of children.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Stella tiptoed from the proscenium arch, shielding her eyes from the glare of the footlights.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The complaints are being handled by Lindsay Brandon, the WTA’s director of safeguarding, according to two sources briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Since the founding of the United States of America, women’s central role in safeguarding democracy has been overlooked—even as women have consistently, generation after generation, worked to protect it.—
Celina Stewart,
Time,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
