fend

[fend]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off (often followed byoff ).

   to fend off blows.

2. to defend.

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

/ 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

noun

1. dialect,  a shift or effort

Other Word Forms

• unfended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fend¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fend¹

C13 fenden , shortened from defenden to _defend

Example Sentences

The fake videos included one in which an old woman fed apples to a bear, and another in which an unarmed high school student fended off a bear with her bare hands.

Read more on Barron's

The U.K. government needed to deliver a zero-drama budget Wednesday, and exude enough political and economic credibility to fend off pressure from the voters and the bond market.

Read more on Barron's

She initially knew nothing about farming, but her school closed and she found herself forced to fend for herself, just like millions of other Kinshasa residents living in precarious conditions.

Read more on Barron's

Supermarket shelves fill with "immune-boosting" shots, cold water swimming groups grow and social media becomes crowded with tips on how to fend off seasonal bugs.

Read more on BBC

She fended off deportation proceedings and went to work at the family gift store in Chicago.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

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.