FEND (OFF) Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

fend (off)

verb

Definition of fend (off)

as in to repel

to drive back the herd fended off attacking hyenas

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fend (off)

Verb

The running back, 25, had a career night in his first game with the Chiefs, tallying 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, seemingly repelling opponents which resulted in multiple Broncos missed tackles.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
The two countries’ ties have grown stronger since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 with Pyongyang sending thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to help repel a 2024 Ukrainian incursion there.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

States and conservation groups have filed numerous lawsuits seeking to turn back the changes.

— Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Reinhart’s vintage Elie Saab moment comes at a time when several high-profile stars are turning back the clock and looking to the runway from the early aughts and ’90s for their red carpet and project promotional tour stints.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

Despite the financial pressures, Velez emphasized that Feeding South Florida is not turning away anyone who needs food assistance.

— Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
As a child in the 1960s, Allie Zemtseff saw how her mother, a Black woman, was turned away by landlords while apartment hunting in white neighborhoods.

— Adrian Florido, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn away

Verb

The Chicago Teachers Union pushed to be part of the program anyway, arguing every dollar would help stave off potential layoffs or program cuts.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
They are banged up, which makes clinching the division and staving off the Atlanta Braves for a first-round bye paramount over the season’s final 12 games.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of stave off

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fending (off)

fend (off)

fends

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“Fend (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fend%20%28off%29. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fend (off)

verb

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