as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
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Recent Examples of fend
Everyone is left to fend for themselves among what feels like Hallmark crossed with Hieronymous Bosch.
—
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – which has pumped billions of dollars into the tour without any tangible return – has decided LIV will have to fend for itself, cutting off funding after the 2026 season and potentially leaving some of the world’s most famous golfers in limbo.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent waves of emigration of younger Cubans have left many older adults alone to fend for themselves under the direst conditions.
—Sarah Moreno
updated April 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Sinner took their first meeting, overwhelming a streaky Jódar in the first set and fending him off for most of the second in a 6-2, 7-6(0) win Wednesday.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – which has pumped billions of dollars into the tour without any tangible return – has decided LIV will have to fend for itself, cutting off funding after the 2026 season and potentially leaving some of the world’s most famous golfers in limbo.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent waves of emigration of younger Cubans have left many older adults alone to fend for themselves under the direst conditions.
—Sarah Moreno
updated April 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Sinner took their first meeting, overwhelming a streaky Jódar in the first set and fending him off for most of the second in a 6-2, 7-6(0) win Wednesday.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
Verb
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Australia is accelerating efforts to protect frontline troops from the growing threat of small drones, awarding a contract to defense technology firm OpenWorks under the Australian Defence Force’s Land 156 counter-drone program.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
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More recent land news Republicans have introduced an amendment to a federal wildfire bill that would repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule protecting certain national forest lands from logging and roadbuilding, reports Brooke Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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But Cape Verde simply did not wilt in a solid, switched-on 4-5-1 defensive shape, compressing space between the lines and defending heroically in their own penalty area to keep the European Champions at bay, and committing only one foul in the process — the fewest ever recorded in a World Cup game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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That particularly could be annoying to Uruguay supporters, given Messi’s stature in the sport overall and in particular with defending champion Argentina, La Celeste’s biggest rival.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
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More than 10,000 members of the NYPD safeguarded the route.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
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Prioritize safety, stay well-informed, and act responsibly to safeguard lives and property.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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So far, Burnham’s current position outside Westminster has largely shielded him from any association with this government.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The amendment aims to reduce property taxes by raising the homestead exemption—the value of a home shielded from non-school taxes—from $50,000 to $250,000 over the next two years.—
Manuel Bojorquez,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, the WNBA’s leading scorer, missed the game with a lower leg injury.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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In May 2013, the Met returned the aforementioned kneeling figures that had long guarded its Southeast Asian art wing.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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