as in turning back
to drive back
the herd fended off attacking hyenas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending (off)
Verb
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Trains are turning back at Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory and EBJ Union stations.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026 -
Charlotte has often been full of personality in the public eye, famously turning back to wave at photographers when William brought her and George to meet their newborn brother, Louis, in 2018.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Marigolds protect tomatoes by repelling pests and suppressing harmful nematodes in the soil.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The plainclothes detectives, who were wearing NYPD vests, then dragged Brown on the floor, over shards of broken glass, to the front of the store, ordering him to stop resisting.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Kessman suggests resisting the temptation to start deep-cleaning or creating an entire organizing system at this stage.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The dogs had driven the woman into the surf before a tourist came to her rescue, beating off the dingoes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed the city’s 1% earnings tax on Tuesday, maintaining a critical funding source for city services and unmistakably staving off concerns that the city’s budget could be thrown into disarray.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fending (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending%20%28off%29. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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