as in turning back
to drive back
the herd fended off attacking hyenas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fending (off)
Verb
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But French Fiction is turning back after running a one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race at the Ashland.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026 -
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tristan Jarry got his first start of the series, repelling 34 pucks.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
27 Apr. 2026
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Root-knot nematodes are one of the biggest pest problems for eggplants, and marigolds' strong smell is excellent for repelling nematodes.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miami-Dade prosecutors dismissed two stalking and resisting arrest charges against Hollis on Thursday.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Nine teens, ages 13 to 16 were arrested, some of them on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting law enforcement.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The dogs had driven the woman into the surf before a tourist came to her rescue, beating off the dingoes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Now that the euphoria of David Pastrnak’s overtime game-winner has now subsided, the Bruins get back to the business of staving off elimination at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres in Friday’s Game 6 at the Garden.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The link between flossing and disease prevention On top of staving off periodontal disease, research shows that regular flossing is associated with reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fending (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fending%20%28off%29. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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