FENDING Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

fending

verb

present participle of fend

as in protecting

to drive danger or attack away from learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fending Feral populations spring up as result of these self-sustaining domestic animals fending for themselves. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 17 June 2026 Smith later found Cowan lying in a pool of blood and attempted to stop the bleeding while fending the dogs off, per PEOPLE reporting. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026 Sinner took their first meeting, overwhelming a streaky Jódar in the first set and fending him off for most of the second in a 6-2, 7-6(0) win Wednesday. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Those Shahed successes may accrue, at least in part, from the fact that the United States and Israel lack Ukraine’s long experience with fending them off. — IEEE Spectrum, 24 Mar. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending

Verb

The bolts attaching this structure to the bottom of the spacecraft were then covered by plugs protecting them from the friction of re-entry.

— Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
That was followed by the PUC approving ERCOT’s proposal on how to connect large electricity users such as AI data centers while protecting the reliability of the grid via provisions for LVRT and load smoothing.

— Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026

Definition of protecting

Verb

And with Brown, VJ Edgecombe and Dean Wade on the roster, James would also be insulated from defending on the perimeter at a high volume.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The defending champions made Kansas City their base camp for the tournament as the team began its quest to become back to back champions for the first time since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

— PJ Green July 13, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

Their defensive work isn’t about shielding the back line, but about being proactive — Morocco were trying to launch a break here, but Rabiot stepped in to intercept and put France on the attack shortly before Mbappe curled home.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 10 July 2026
As a result, as premiums rise, so do subsidies, shielding many consumers from rising prices but also raising costs for the federal government.

— Rachel Spears — KFF Health News, STAT, 8 July 2026

Definition of shielding

Verb

During the Thursday stop, Abbott called for a roof fortification grant program, comparing the plan to roof-safeguarding programs that have been established in other states.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
But that framing ignores a few factors, as was pointed out to Deadline by the leader of one suitor committed to safeguarding the company’s unique, cinephile-forward culture.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026