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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Effective vole control includes keeping grass mowed, minimizing mulch, using traps, and protecting young trees with hardware cloth tubes.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
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Watermelon has a host of health benefits including protecting one's joints from inflammation, improving digestive conditions and being more rich in lycopene than any other fruit.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Cubs will visit Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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Rockets head coach Ime Udoka should have his team defending with much more urgency, and Houston’s top frontcourt weapon is also likely to bounce back.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Green, guarding Leonard, then tipped away the Clippers’ inbounds pass out of a timeout, and Podziemski drove for a three-point play as the visitors hung on.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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One of my strong suits is guarding the ball and guarding multiple positions.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In October, the defense accused prosecutors of not disclosing the victim’s wishes to not move forward with the case and shielding the victim from testifying in a deposition.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
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Some economists believe China has so far been relatively well-positioned in shielding itself from the impacts from the Iran war, which has sent fuel prices surging and is threatening worsening global inflation.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
14 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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