fend off
phrasal verb
fended off; fending off; fends off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something)
They succeeded in fending off the attack/attackers.
They have had to fend off allegations of voter fraud.
Examples of fend off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Molly Watts posted a heartfelt tribute to the late Wire actor, who died by suicide at 46 on Friday, on Instagram on Monday, explaining how Ransone fended off an assailant outside their apartment building.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Dec. 2025
Upon completion of the deal, ServiceNow will integrate data from Armis’ threat prevention services into its larger cybersecurity suite, enhancing clients’ ability to fend off cyberattacks, Zavery said in an interview.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Left to fend for himself in Chicago, Kevin gets into hijinks, including elaborate booby traps to fend off a pair of intruders who try to rob his home.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The cold dry air can also impact our ability to fend off illnesses, according to Johns Hopkins University.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend off
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.
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Dec. 2025
Upon completion of the deal, ServiceNow will integrate data from Armis’ threat prevention services into its larger cybersecurity suite, enhancing clients’ ability to fend off cyberattacks, Zavery said in an interview.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Left to fend for himself in Chicago, Kevin gets into hijinks, including elaborate booby traps to fend off a pair of intruders who try to rob his home.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
The cold dry air can also impact our ability to fend off illnesses, according to Johns Hopkins University.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fend off
Cite this Entry
“Fend off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fend%20off. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share