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
-
Michôd says that Sweeney was initially tentative about Martin's involvement, wanting to protect her own creative space, but opened up upon realizing that Martin wasn't going to try and control her performance.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Sources close to Spence, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, described him as an introvert to The Athletic in February.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the way Herbert flashed early in his career, tossing seven touchdown passes and only one interception in a 2021 season sweep of the defending AFC champion Chiefs, had come to feel like a tease.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Responding to Joe Starnes, a Democratic congressman from Alabama, Flanagan proved to be a tough witness and defended the project as being a cure for American inactivity.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many workers live in a constant state of uncertainty, unsure how to safeguard themselves or their families if deportation becomes a reality.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
We will not be deterred by activists attempting to shield dangerous operators and cartels.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Anasori’s lab is focused on creating MXenes that can thrive where current materials fail, from shielding electromagnetic waves to functioning as ultrathin antennas in next-generation communications.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Strong support for keeping those requirements comes from existing homeowners guarding the value of their homes, their greatest investment, speakers said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In 2021, linebacker Nick Bolton, center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith started.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share