fend
to ward off (often followed by off): to fend off blows.
to defend.
to resist or make defense: to fend against poverty.
to parry; fence.
to shift; provide: to fend for oneself.
Origin of fend
1Other words for fend
| 5 | manage, make out, get along |
Other words from fend
- un·fend·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fend in a sentence
Research shows exercise can be a good way to fend off damage from junk food, notes Cassandra Lowe.
Warning! Junk foods can harm a teen’s brain | Sharon Oosthoek | November 19, 2020 | Science News For StudentsHowever, several members of Congress, including two engineers and a pediatrician, are projected to fend off Republican challengers.
All the ways the 2020 election has influenced science policy so far | Kate Baggaley | November 6, 2020 | Popular-ScienceElaine Luria and Jennifer Wexton, have fended off Republican challengers to win a second term.
Spanberger declares victory over Freitas in Virginia as more absentee ballots are tallied | Meagan Flynn | November 5, 2020 | Washington PostThe guard’s duty in this case was to fend off infection in the voting system by segregating the secretary of state’s network from the rest of the state, said Washington National Guard Adjutant General Gent Welsh.
U.S. says it’s prepared for cyber election threats. But weaknesses remain | Verne Kopytoff | November 2, 2020 | FortuneThis classy five-panel protects from harsh winter sun and fends off flurries with burly waxed canvas.
Joseph LaRocca says some companies are upping the ante in terms of fending off return fraudsters.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks | M.L. Nestel | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey ended up crawling for much of the journey, scaling electric fences and fending off wild animals in freezing conditions.
How ‘Titanic ’Helped This Brave Young Woman Escape North Korea’s Totalitarian State | Lizzie Crocker | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey also emboldened the Kurdish defenders, who are lightly armed and fending off heavy armor.
The reality-based community might have a difficult time fending off these two fronts of affront.
The Kansas Governor should be cruising to re-election and fending off 2016 rumors.
One huge green fly flipped nimbly under the fending hand and lit on the peach.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm | Irvin S. CobbHe smoked and was fragmentary for a time, fending off my questions; then his story began to piece itself together.
Tono Bungay | H. G. WellsPhiladelphus filliped the coin and flung out a strong and fending hand against his fellow covering it.
The City of Delight | Elizabeth MillerAbove all, the poor commons had earlier in the year shown unmistakable signs of fending for themselves.
The Agrarian Problem in the Sixteenth Century | Richard Henry TawneyHe had crossed his arms over the lower part of his face, fending off Taylors fists with his elbows.
The Ranchman | Charles Alden Seltzer
British Dictionary definitions for fend
/ (fɛnd) /
(intr foll by for) to give support (to someone, esp oneself); provide (for)
(tr usually foll by off) to ward off or turn aside (blows, questions, attackers, etc)
(tr) archaic to defend or resist
(intr) Scot and Northern English dialect to struggle; strive
Scot and Northern English dialect a shift or effort
Origin of fend
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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