as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forfend
What’s non-negotiable is that it must be made using a kettle, never — heaven forfend — a microwave.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfend
Verb
-
Open for just 24 hours, starting April 24, the project is meant to humanize the harms of social media use among young children and call for governments and private companies to act urgently to protect online spaces for young users.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The mitts feature a long cuff to protect your arms from the heat.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a twist from the first Trump administration, which tried to kill Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law, Trump's Justice Department is defending the law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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But López Obrador has defended hydrocarbons since his youth, and the energy reform became a rallying cry for MORENA.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These timely and precise reports are crucial for the National Weather Service, aiding in the delivery of accurate weather warnings that help safeguard both lives and property.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Apr. 2025
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China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The secrecy of the conclave is designed to shield the vote from external pressures, Faggioli said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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More broadly, endowments can help shield schools from financial hardships and maintain their long-term reputations.—
Todd L. Ely,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Specifically, the Swiss Guard accompanies the pope to public appearances, guards Vatican City and protects the College of Cardinals during a conclave (the election of a new pope), according to The Holy See.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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He was trained throughout his time as a junior officer to protect and guard the nation’s secrets.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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