fend

verb

ˈfend How to pronounce fend (audio)
Definition of fendnext
as in to protect
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

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 fend In order to test him during his childhood, his parents do everything from shooting an apple off his head to leaving him stranded in a dangerous part of town, forcing John to fend for himself. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 The announcement is the latest fallout from the botched handling of the calls on July 27 that left the elderly woman fending for herself against her attacker for more than three hours. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Tolerating Chinese regional hegemony would throw East Asian allies under the bus, and disengaging from the Middle East would leave Israel to fend for itself. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 Accredited schools are required to either provide clinical placements or help students find them, but many skate by doing the bare minimum, leaving students to fend for themselves. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
  1. protect
  2. defend
  3. safeguard
  4. shield
  5. guard
Verb
  • But data, though personal and medical in nature, is not covered by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects personal electronic health data in other contexts.
    — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These women pressured local judges and sheriffs, and would actively show up to courthouses, protecting potential lynching victims with thier own bodies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Amid the backlash, the White House has defended the television spots as public service announcements meant to educate voters and promote patriotism.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In an earlier statement to TMZ, Seaver defended his messages to Nozell, saying they had been taken out of context.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Verb
  • The administration also is investigating alleged violations of parents’ right to safeguard their children from the collection of private and sensitive information at school.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Never promoting renewable energy or safeguarding us with stronger regulation.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of safeguard
Verb
  • Legal experts say the industry’s claim to be shielded by federal law is weak.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The feels-like temperature was 105 degrees, with umpires chugging water between innings and fans shielding their heads with giveaway towels on a cloudless day.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • The only two Heat players unavailable for Saturday’s exhibition were forward Keshad Johnson (right hamstring strain) and guard Dru Smith (right calf strain).
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The terms have been kept closely guarded, in large part because competitors would insist on comparable deals.
    — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of guard

Phrases Containing fend

Browse Nearby Words

fencing (in)
fend
fended
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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