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
-
The emergency fund is meant to protect you against a job loss, health crisis, car breakdown or major household repair.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Gmail Account Attack Defense Step Three — Use A Passkey This one really should be a non-brainer: stop using passwords and switch to a passkey to protect your Gmail account.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Scheffler, the world No. 1, and defending PGA champion Schauffele had plenty to say about mud balls on tee shots, particularly on the 16th hole that sent both to double bogey.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
-
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles will be featured prominently during the 2025 NFL season.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
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With the average cost of a data breach now exceeding $4 million, safeguarding customer information is not just a precaution but a critical business mandate.—
Nitesh Mirchandani,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The book claims Biden was heavily shielded from senior officials, had his schedule shortened, and relied on teleprompters even during brief, off-camera remarks.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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Did his inner circle shield his true state from the public? REP.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The veteran that was part of the Liberty’s core will miss the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury, leaving the squad without a starter who averaged 9.5 point per game on 45% shooting that also guarded the opposing team’s best perimeter option on some nights.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
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The Wings, featuring nine new players after posting a 9-31 record in 2024, stayed even with the Lynx for much of the first half but fell behind during the third quarter, in which Collier and Courtney Williams combined for 33 points — their two-player actions proving impossible for Dallas to guard.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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