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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The announcement is the latest fallout from the botched handling of the calls on July 27 that left the elderly woman fending for herself against her attacker for more than three hours. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The kick seemed to work in fending the bear off, and the creature left with its cubs. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 Feral populations spring up as result of these self-sustaining domestic animals fending for themselves. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 17 June 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending

Verb

Insurance remains an essential tool for protecting against losses that could threaten liquidity, earnings or operations.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of protecting

Verb

The organization spent the offseason defending the decision not to sign any real competition or spend a draft pick on the position.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
How will Arkansas State approach defending TCU, which runs a more pro-style offense compared to Memphis?

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

Clingan has all the makings of a rim monster who could improve his technique guarding on the perimeter enough to make his drop coverage work in the postseason.

— Victor Wembanyama, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Chinese exhibits in Geneva conjured up AI as giant robots guarding futuristic Chinese cityscapes.

— Elias Stahl, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of guarding

Verb

It is now widely accepted that the policy could have contributed to the far-right’s rise by shielding it from the accountability that comes when parties hold office and face the reality of governing.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
These durable impact shields limit the minimum bending radius to prevent over-flexing while shielding the chain body from severe external abrasion.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of shielding

Verb

The world's largest oil buyer has slashed its imports after the war broke out, tapping into its stockpiles, keeping a lid on global oil prices and safeguarding its economy.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
In 1995, after Selena’s tragic death at the hands of Yolanda Saldivar, the former president of her fan club, Abraham dedicated his life to safeguarding her legacy and overseeing primary control over her estate.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026