as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fending
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
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
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
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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Your quick mind can broker peace between different opinions while still protecting your energy.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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The analyst explained that as agentic AI becomes embedded across business operations, companies might prefer security tool consolidation for dealing with cyberattacks, as relying on conventional, fragmented tools may not be effective in protecting autonomous systems.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Inter Miami earned a bye as defending MLS champion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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The defending champions were relentless.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to regular forces, thousands of temporary police officers have been deployed, and army troops — generally confined to barracks — are patrolling streets and guarding polling stations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Founders did not anticipate that lawmakers, instead of jealously guarding their legislative authority, would prefer to leave the president holding the bag in case military action turns out to be unpopular.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The belts also have an important job in shielding Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and solar wind that can be harmful to humans and damage technology.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Taking on the escort mission would require putting naval vessels in harm’s way purely for the purpose of shielding oil ships with no obvious strategic advantage for the war itself.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, the greatest urgency, the Court majority decided, is safeguarding how parents choose to raise their children.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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But there are practical solutions to safeguarding these assets, according to Jesse Marks, CEO of Rihla Research & Advisory.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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