Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend (off)
Verb
-
The driver used bear spray to repel the suspect and drove away to a safe location, the Sheriff’s Office said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026 -
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The actions continue the administration’s efforts to turn back the clock on the transition to cleaner energy and reverse efforts to address climate change.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The protesters stopped at a Kroger and held signs to cars passing by, then turned back around down Bailey Boswell Road and headed back to Boswell High.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That effort quickly repulsed decent Americans.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
My body turns away before my mind can catch up.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Fend (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend%20%28off%29. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
