as in protects
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fends
Verb
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The First Amendment protects the press precisely because a free press protects democracy.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026 -
But unionized workers aren’t the only ones Gloria protects.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matriarchy is a force that protects and defends, a force blunted and downgraded at every turn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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This support among white Christian voters has held since the 2024 election, with two-thirds of white evangelicals saying Trump defends people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, according to a Pew poll released Thursday.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that neither federal law nor the Constitution shields military contractors if their mistakes or negligence result in soldiers being injured in a combat zone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Attorney-client privilege typically shields most details about the legal work each timekeeper performs, but the Tribune was able to obtain other billing and payment data from the city under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fends. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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