as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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
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
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
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
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
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
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
-
The idea that Chelsea’s participation in the Club World Cup impacted them is not, according to people with knowledge of their outlook, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, a majority view at Chelsea.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As the world gets warmer and garment workers in the global South continue to bear the brunt of rising temperatures, protecting them has never been more urgent.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration reinterpreted Article 9 to allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to more actively contribute to international peacekeeping efforts and defend allies.—
Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Cubs will visit Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adopted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the treaty opened for signature in September 2023 and could safeguard marine ecosystems beyond national borders.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran is China’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, but China’s diverse energy sources have shielded it from the heavy economic toll and energy crisis that the war has caused for other countries in East Asia.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Luke Kennard went off early in Game 1; Marcus Smart did the same in Game 2 — with Amen Thompson guarding both times.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Harshaw asked Drozd to order the federal agents guarding Mendoza Hernandez to allow him a half-hour meeting with his lawyer before transporting him again.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
