as in repels
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 fends (off)
Verb
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The South China Morning Post stated that this molecule uses its rigid, bulky structure to physically shield the iron core from chemical attack, while its strong negative charge creates a force field that repels leaking particles.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026 -
Marigolds also give off an odor that repels garden pests while attracting pollinators with their warm, brilliant colors.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The book resists tidy moral conclusions.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Best of all, the Tony nominee smartly resists overplaying the joke, grounding the part enough that Brad's unraveling becomes funnier.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Hearing the Creature screaming his name, Victor turns back.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Get it before this deal turns away from your doorstep.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
-
More chatting, the camera turns away to shoot some B-roll.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fends (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fends%20%28off%29. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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