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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Recent Examples of fending
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending
Verb
-
Stoltzfus and his team are deeply involved in protecting the broader Platte River ecosystem, a vital habitat that supports more than 240 species, including terns and bald eagles, year-round.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs knocked off the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals en route to their first finals appearance since winning the title in 2014.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
In the first trailer for Adam Wingard’s Onslaught, Adria Arjona plays a young mother and veteran defending her adorable child and trailer park community from an army of what appear to be glowing-eyed super-soldiers built like pro wrestlers.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Robinson might not draw the primary defensive assignment guarding Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama, a job that could fall to the Knicks' fleet of wings, but Robinson's offensive rebounding will be critical in not allowing second-chance opportunities.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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This nickel corner competition will be interesting with Thornton; the soon-to-be second-year player made a play last week guarding wide receiver Chris Brazzell on a deep pass.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Conversations that are not confrontational but still have players shielding their mouths from public view will continue to be permitted without penalty.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Nearby, a group of men sat cross-legged on the ground in a circle, shielding their eyes from errant flakes as one of them hammered chunks off a large clump of gum.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong authorities said the law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Leikauf said his top priorities include safeguarding public funds, increasing efficiency and providing accountability.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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