as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
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Recent Examples of forfend
What’s non-negotiable is that it must be made using a kettle, never — heaven forfend — a microwave.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfend
Verb
-
No one disputes that a government’s first responsibility is to protect its own citizens.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Agnes has born the brunt of the harshness of the world, and Ada has been protected.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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James Hurley gives a moving performance at the Road House outside of Twin Peaks, and learns of an unusual vision experienced by his cockney co-worker at Great Northern security, Freddie, who will defend James from the attack of a jealous husband with a most unusual strength-enhancing glove.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
20 June 2025
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The administration continues to defend its use of tariffs by arguing that emergency powers give the president the authority to regulate imports during national emergencies, and officials have argued that the country's trade deficit qualifies as a national emergency.—
Peter Aitken
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The 5 Best Shower Filters to Save Your Skin and Hair from Hard Water Tips to Improve Water Quality To ensure that your home has healthy, clean water for drinking and bathing, here are a few tips to consider to safeguard your water supply.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2025
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The Del is a living testament to safeguarding our past.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
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While Chávez consistently denied involvement in drug trafficking, his administration fostered ties with guerrilla organizations and was accused of shielding FARC leaders and cocaine shipments.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2025
-
The main compartment is protected by a zipper, while the outside is made of a water-repellent fabric that will shield your wallet from the elements.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton has exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
At Friday’s hearing, he is also set to address a state request to limit troops under federal control to guarding federal buildings, and to bar them from accompanying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on the workplace raids that sparked the protests.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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