fend

American  

[fend] / fɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off (often followed byoff ).

   to fend off blows.

2. to defend.

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verb (used without object)

1. to resist or make defense.

   to fend against poverty.

2. to parry; fence.

3. to shift; provide.

   to fend for oneself.

   Synonyms:

   manage

fend British  

/ fɛnd /

verb

1. to give support (to someone, esp oneself); provide (for)

2. to ward off or turn aside (blows, questions, attackers, etc)

3. archaic (tr) to defend or resist

4. dialect (intr) to struggle; strive

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noun

1. dialect a shift or effort

Usage

What is a basic definition of fend? Fend is a verb that means to force back. Fend can also mean to provide for or support. Fend has a few other senses as a verb.Fend means to force back or repel someone or something. In this sense, fend is almost always followed by the word off. This sense of fend can be used literally or figuratively. Usually, you would try to fend off something unpleasant or harmful.

• Real-life examples: Cows often have to fend off swarms of flies and gnats that try to bite them. A celebrity’s bodyguard may need to fend off excited fans that are trying to get too close. A business owner will fend off competition.
• Used in a sentence: An alpha wolf must fend off any younger wolves that try to attack it or its pups. 

Fend can also mean to support or provide for, especially for yourself. For example, a person without friends or family must fend for themselves and try to survive without any help.

• Real-life examples: People trapped on a deserted island must fend for themselves. Siblings may have to fend for each other when their parents can’t even fend for themselves.
• Used in a sentence: She never knew her parents and had to fend for herself since she was a child. 

Other Word Forms

• unfended adjective

Etymology

Origin of fend

1250–1300; Middle English fenden, aphetic variant of defenden to defend

Example Sentences

First, Elliott and its investment partners must fend off an appeal of the November decision in which a Delaware federal district court accepted their $5.9 billion bid for Citgo’s pipelines, terminals and three refineries.

From Barron's

First, Elliott and its investment partners must fend off an appeal of the November decision in which a Delaware federal district court accepted their $5.9 billion bid for Citgo’s pipelines, terminals and three refineries.

From Barron's

He recommends self-nudging, deliberately tuning our media inputs and scrolling practices to reduce time spent mentally fending off the internet’s flotsam and jetsam.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cook’s purchase came the day after the stock tumbled 10.5% on Dec. 19, following Nike’s fiscal second-quarter report, which showed the company was still struggling to fend off competition and regain relevance with consumers.

From MarketWatch

Cook’s purchase came the day after the stock tumbled 10.5% on Dec. 19, following Nike’s fiscal second-quarter report, which showed the company was still struggling to fend off competition and regain relevance with consumers.

From MarketWatch