as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
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
-
Our students, families, and taxpayers deserve leaders who put the best interests of the community first, not individuals who appear focused on protecting one another instead of protecting the integrity of our school system.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But many environmental experts, including Earthjustice senior attorney Mychal Ozaeta, say the proposal caters to the coal industry rather than protecting communities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Argentina, the defending champion, has expressed interest in setting up its base camp in Kansas City.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Alex Condon added 21 points and former Arkansas Razorback Boogie Fland chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the defending national champion Gators, who beat the Bulldogs for the 13th time in their past 14 meetings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The podcast allows Kylie to walk the line between sharing details about her family and guarding her privacy.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The job of guarding the opposition’s top offensive threat usually goes to Nelson.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But in 2007, a detailed analysis demonstrated that Earth’s magnetic field actually, despite these limitations, does a remarkable job of shielding the Moon from the solar wind.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This surgical mask is my disguise and my means of shielding myself from covid spittle.—
Cora Frazier,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The latest specialist minehunting ship left Birkenhead last month to conduct sea trials and some training off the west coast of England and Scotland as the vessel begins its journey to front-line operations safeguarding home waters.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In the name of safeguarding the secret mission of the spaceship, HAL kills the crew members.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share