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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 Word Forms
- ܲ·ڱԻĻ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of fend1
Example Sentences
It said the "proactive measures" it had taken to fend off the attack had had a "small impact" on its call centre and back office.
Poilievre had to fend off criticism from political rivals that he is "Trump lite", with his combative style, his vows to end "woke ideology", and willingness to take on the "global elite".
Industry insiders and lawmakers, including at the Burbank town hall, have tried to fend off criticism that this is a gift to corporations.
“It’s very, very important that we solidify those relationships,” Bass said Wednesday, restating the importance of keeping the city’s issues front and center, even while state legislators fend off their own budgetary crises.
Girl fends off love rivals and boy - finally - declares his affection for her.
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More About Fend
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 ... ?
are some other forms related to fend?
- unfended (adjective)
are some synonyms for fend?
are some words that share a root or word element with fend?
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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