as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fend
The story follows a group of young schoolboys who, after a deadly plane crash, become stranded on a tropical island with no adults and have to fend for themselves.
—
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Had the Netflix deal gone through, Warners was going to spin off most of its cable holdings, allowing those units to fend for themselves as NBCUniversal’s cast-offs at Versant are now doing.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
At Semmes, they were left to fend for themselves, without the protection of federal marshals.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
At the same time, resilience isn’t about abandoning them to fend for themselves, either—instead parents should strive to strike a balance between the two extremes.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Had the Netflix deal gone through, Warners was going to spin off most of its cable holdings, allowing those units to fend for themselves as NBCUniversal’s cast-offs at Versant are now doing.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
At Semmes, they were left to fend for themselves, without the protection of federal marshals.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
At the same time, resilience isn’t about abandoning them to fend for themselves, either—instead parents should strive to strike a balance between the two extremes.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend
Verb
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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Both are recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the 2012 executive action signed by former President Barack Obama that protects people brought to the United States as children from deportation.—
Juan Carlos Chavez,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Gators are the defending champion, trying to repeat their back-to-back titles from 2006-07.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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Vinnie Hinostroza and Eetu Luostarinen scored for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s partly because countries around the world have begun to enact measures aimed at safeguarding youth from the perils of social media.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Macao government said in a statement that the bill passed Thursday is of great significance for effectively safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After the war, in sober reflection, the United States helped lead a global effort to try to tame the savagery of conflict and, in particular, to shield civilians.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Cyrus believes having Billy Ray on set helped shield her from the dark side of child stardom.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cooper Flagg was heavily guarded in the left corner by Dyson Daniels with the shot clock winding down and tossed the ball to Naji Marshall, but the pass was picked off by Jalen Johnson.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
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The Western Conference Player of Week honor went to Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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