fend

1 of 2

verb

ˈfend How to pronounce fend (audio)
fended; fending; fends
Synonyms of fendnext

transitive verb

1
: defend
2
: to keep or ward off : repel
—often used with off
fend off an invader
3
dialectal British : to provide for : support

intransitive verb

1
dialectal British : to make an effort : struggle
2
a
: to try to get along without help : shift
had to fend for themselves
b
: to provide a livelihood

fend

2 of 2

noun

chiefly Scotland
: an effort or attempt especially for oneself

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of fend in a Sentence

Verb learned to use humor to fend herself from criticism
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
His wife will be left home alone to fend for herself. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 In August, authorities said a hunter was seriously injured in Alaska after being mauled by a brown bear and shot during an effort to fend it off. —Stephen Smith, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Zach Edey finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds and Braden Smith made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left to help No. 3 Purdue fend off Maryland’s furious second-half charge for a 58-55 victory. —Michael Marot, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2023 At least in Colombia, work to breed more resistant varietals or to study how cacao plants in the wild fend off pathogens has been limited. —Lindzi Wessel, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2018 See all Example Sentences for fend 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English fenden, short for defenden "to defend"

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1721, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fend was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing fend

Dictionary Entries Near fend

fencing patent

fend

fender

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fend. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fend

verb
ˈfend
1
: to keep or ward off : repel sense 1
fend off an attack
2
: to try to get along without help
had to fend for themselves

More from Merriam-Webster on fend

Nglish: Translation of fend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fend for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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