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
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
Lithuania is fending without Domantas Sabonis, Matas Buzelis, and Kasparas Jakucionas this summer, leaving Denver backup center Jonas Valanciunas as the centerpiece of the roster.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Lithuania is fending without Domantas Sabonis, Matas Buzelis, and Kasparas Jakucionas this summer, leaving Denver backup center Jonas Valanciunas as the centerpiece of the roster.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending
Verb
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Holmgren, Wembanyama and Mobley impact games through a wide range of skills, from protecting the rim to switching onto perimeter players to stretching the floor.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Looking at the key drivers shaping traceability, protecting brand reputation came out on top with 40 percent of respondents.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still, the positive outlook is that the defending champs are 4-1 with some impressive wins and without having played their best football.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The idea the two-time defending champs are tantamount to underdogs to make history is itself a compelling story -- good for the league.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s a bar that’s stocked with bourbon, tequila, and moonshine and a couple of porcelain cheetahs guarding a cabinet full of old records.—
Sid Evans,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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The world's smallest army, charged with guarding the pope and the Vatican, has a new look.—
Katie Kindelan,
ABC News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of shielding his children from the pressures of his job, Arison is planning to bring them along for the ride.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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The sales leader infected everyone around him with toxic positivity who believed anything was possible, even in the face of real business obstacles, shielding the whole team from reality.—
Mita Mallick,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Mullally will become the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church in January, a year after her predecessor resigned in a safeguarding scandal.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Official guidance includes safeguarding plants, animals and plumbing until temperatures stabilize.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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