as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
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Recent Examples of forfend
What’s non-negotiable is that it must be made using a kettle, never — heaven forfend — a microwave.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfend
Verb
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To protect yourself, property owners can sign up for notifications about any new documents filed for their property in the city's Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS).—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Go to the Strait and just take it, protect it.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At present, as America's military aggression and assault continue with full force, all our efforts and resources are devoted to defending Iran's very existence.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
During the 2002 World Cup, fans across Africa celebrated Senegal’s upset victory over defending champion France, its former colonizer, as a symbol of liberation.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Museums safeguard artworks and offer greater stability over longer timelines, while also responding to the fragility of the present.—
Raphael Fonseca,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Heat-loving crops like tomatoes get shielded from blight.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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One of the biggest advantages of greenhouse growing is shielding your plants from pests and disease.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the fullness of time, Nancy had a Nest camera installed—one of those all-seeing eyes meant to guard the property and calm anxious nerves and provide real safety from intrusion.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Guard has separately launched a recruitment drive targeting youths, seeking children as young as 12 to guard security checkpoints, carry out patrols, tend to the wounded, and perform other supporting tasks.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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