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
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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From Hollywood, California, to Hollywood, Florida, the wage standard needs nurturing and protecting with whatever tools are available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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This November, the people of Florida will have an opportunity to hire a new attorney general, one who focuses on the actual duties of the attorney general like protecting the people of Florida from fraud and other crimes and consumers from exploitation by utility and insurance companies.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Every Tuesday of tournament week, the defending champion chooses the menu for his fellow champions, and the lore of the occasion continues to grow.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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The biggest name in the portal going to the defending national champions?—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Upon arrival at the estate, my car was buzzed through the gate guarding a rustic yet modern haven straight out of a storybook.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
No one else was shot or killed, including members of the presidential security detail who were supposed to be guarding the family.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Per SkillCorner, no player in the division receives more passes in tight spaces and under high pressure than Suarez, often tasked with shielding the ball and keeping attacking moves flowing with defenders breathing down his neck.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Furthermore, 87 percent of growers employ integrated pest management (IPM), monitoring pests and prioritizing non-chemical methods to reduce the use of plant protection products while still shielding crops.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dowman, just like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri before him, is not permitted to get changed in the same dressing room as the Arsenal first-team due to safeguarding rules.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Bar emphasizes that safeguarding client confidentiality is critical when using AI, advising attorneys to thoroughly vet technology providers and disclose the use of AI to clients when appropriate.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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