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fend
[ fend ]
verb (used with object)
- to ward off (often followed by off ):
to fend off blows.
- to defend.
verb (used without object)
- to resist or make defense:
to fend against poverty.
- to parry; fence.
- to shift; provide:
to fend for oneself.
Synonyms:
fend
/ ɛԻ /
verb
- intrfoll byfor to give support (to someone, esp oneself); provide (for)
- trusually foll byoff to ward off or turn aside (blows, questions, attackers, etc)
- archaic.tr to defend or resist
- dialect.intr to struggle; strive
noun
- dialect.a shift or effort
Other 51Թ Forms
- ܲ·ڱԻĻ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of fend1
Example Sentences
At one point the crisis was so bad that the then home secretary Braverman was publicly fending off claims in Parliament that she had mishandled what to do with the arriving migrants.
In the aftermath of a global pandemic, three young brothers fend for themselves in an isolated home tucked away in a forest.
An area of high pressure is taking up residence close to the UK and will fend off any major rain-bearing weather systems - keeping many areas completely dry.
He later referred payment processors to this mailing history to fend off requests for refunds from upset customers around the world, prosecutors said.
Me with my notebook, getting to know this Cleveland-born prodigy while trying to navigate a mental health system that left thousands fending for themselves on the streets of Los Angeles.
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More About Fend
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.
Where does fend come from?
The first records of fend come from around 1250. It comes from the Middle English fenden, a variation of the verb defenden, meaning “to defend.”
Fend shares an origin with the word defend and can be used as a synonym. However, this usage is now very rare.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to fend?
- unfended (adjective)
What are some synonyms for fend?
What are some words that share a root or word element with fend?
What are some words that often get used in discussing fend?
How is fend used in real life?
Fend most often means to repel something or to provide for, most often providing for yourself.
Just saw my toddler fend off our dog from taking his baby sister's biscuit. Was so proud of him until I realised he's the real predator. HE wanted the biscuit for himself.
— Bubz (@bubzbeauty)
House Speaker Paul Ryan is acknowledging "nobody knows" if the sweeping tax cuts Congress is enacting will produce enough economic growth to fend off soaring federal deficits
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics)
Thinking about how in high school we had a lockdown drill and my teacher hid in the closet and left us to fend for ourselves
— Morgan (@FroganMeeman)
Try using fend!
Is fend used correctly in the following sentence?
The hungry puppy had to fend off his brothers and sisters as they tried to steal his food.
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