FENDS Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

fends

verb

present tense third-person singular of fend

as in protects

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fends

Verb

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms as a safeguard against tyranny and for personal security.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
Connecticut law already protects employees who need to breastfeed or express breast milk while at work.

— Steven M. Frederick, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of protects

Verb

Apart from being part of the Republican Party’s Victory ‘26 slate, Shaw was endorsed by Moms for Liberty, a parental rights advocacy group, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association, a nonprofit that defends gun rights.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
For 14 years, Alvarado worked at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a nonprofit law firm that defends religious freedom.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of defends

Verb

His broader indictment was directed at the incentives governing the technology industry and Section 230, which largely shields social media companies from liability for content posted on their sites.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Cold-Sensitive Perennials Plants that struggle with low temperatures in your area can benefit from a mulch layer that shields their roots from extreme cold.

— Macie Stump, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shields

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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fends. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fends

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abandon

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes