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

OpenAI has also faced challenges recently, including issuing a “code red” as it works to fend off growing competition from Google and emerging neolabs.

From The Wall Street Journal

After fending off a roughly $50 billion hostile takeover bid from BHP in 2024, the miner has been simplifying its business by spinning off units and focusing on iron and copper.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dave Webb, of the UK Wild Otter Trust, told BBC Scotland News that the animals condition meant they could not have been left to fend for themselves.

From BBC

Ford poured big money into developing its aerodynamic Taurus sedan, hoping to fend off the famously reliable Accord at a time when quality problems plagued Detroit.

From The Wall Street Journal

The data may be encrypted to fend off hackers, but the companies can decrypt and, if presented with a warrant, share it.

From The Wall Street Journal