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
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
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Ahead of them, Joe Willock (white) was in position to defend a short corner and Jacob Murphy (orange) played a hybrid role to help disrupt Gabriel, before protecting the area near the penalty spot and also keeping an eye out for late runners.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Our highest priority is the safety of our people, the security of our assets, protecting the environment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just as significantly, Anunoby spent much of Tuesday night defending Jalen Johnson, the resurgent Hawks’ only All-Star, who finished with a modest 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Then Quentin Davie, the new coach of defending champion Hebron Christian and a close friend, called with an opportunity to join his staff.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And Gobert was up to the task of guarding Jokic in isolation when the Nuggets decided to clear out on a handful of clutch possessions.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Luke Kennard went off early in Game 1; Marcus Smart did the same in Game 2 — with Amen Thompson guarding both times.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In another, Hurst snapped a picture of a man sleeping rough on a slab of cardboard, one arm shielding his eyes from the sun, and the other pulling up his shirt suggestively.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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The evolving dynamic was on full display outside the Supreme Court on April 27, when a group of activists protested a case about shielding pesticide companies from cancer lawsuits.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, senior Western leaders are convening in Paris on Friday for urgent talks aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies.—
Sara Cook,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Undeveloped land supports essential ecosystem services, cleansing and protecting our drinking water, safeguarding our communities and residents from flooding and inundation due to sea-level rise, supporting wildlife habitat and providing myriad recreational opportunities.—
Tom Hoctor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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