fend

[ fend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off (often followed by off ):

   to fend off blows.

2. to defend.

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

/ fɛnd /

verb

1. intrfoll byfor to give support (to someone, esp oneself); provide (for)
2. trusually foll byoff to ward off or turn aside (blows, questions, attackers, etc)
3. archaic.
   tr to defend or resist
4. dialect.
   intr to struggle; strive

noun

1. dialect.
   a shift or effort

Other Word Forms

• un·fended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fend¹

1250–1300; Middle English fenden, aphetic variant of defenden to defend

Word History and Origins

Origin of fend¹

C13 fenden , shortened from defenden to defend

Example Sentences

But in recent years, “Angelos have been left to fend for themselves and each other.”

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC

In the aftermath of a global pandemic, three young brothers fend for themselves in an isolated home tucked away in a forest.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC

He later referred payment processors to this mailing history to fend off requests for refunds from upset customers around the world, prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times