as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
The other eight units protected by the reserve are: How did the museum designers choose Mill Bluff?—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
-
Experts recommend proactive zoning regulations to manage data center growth and protect communities from potential negative impacts. Data centers, the physical hubs helping power the modern digital world, appear headed for Kentucky.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Mark was disappointed, but the poster defended himself, saying he’s helped before and didn’t want to be taken for granted.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
27 July 2025
-
In reality, a number of simple changes can defend against most attacks.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Prioritize safety, stay well-informed, and act responsibly to safeguard lives and property.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 July 2025
-
In such cases, food manufacturers often issue a recall as a preventive measure to safeguard consumers.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Joining a union does not shield employees when a turbulent economy leads employers to make cuts, reorganize the company, or carry out other changes.—
Jennifer Dorning,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
-
Therefore, whichever side can better shield its soldiers from drone attacks will gain a clear advantage in cities such as Chasiv Yar and in towns near Kupyansk, Kharkiv City, and Sumy City.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
In her later years, Toklas carefully guarded Stein’s legacy, rebuffing, and sometimes actively thwarting, biographers.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
-
The world’s largest Superman statue guards the town square near the Super Museum with more than 20,000 Superman artifacts.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share