fend off
phrasal verb
fended off; fending off; fends off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something)
They succeeded in fending off the attack/attackers.
They have had to fend off allegations of voter fraud.
Examples of fend off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The city recommends that people fend off the summer heat by jumping in the water.
—
Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 3 July 2024
In April, Iron Dome and other Israeli and U.S. missile defense systems were largely able to fend off a volley of high-flying ballistic missiles fired by Iran.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 June 2024
But infected frogs kept in warmer enclosures were able to fend off their infections and recover.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
In April, fellow squad member Rep. Summer Lee, D-PA, fended off a challenge in her Pittsburgh-area district from a moderate candidate who criticized her opposition to providing additional U.S. military aid for Israel.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fend off 
Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 3 July 2024
In April, Iron Dome and other Israeli and U.S. missile defense systems were largely able to fend off a volley of high-flying ballistic missiles fired by Iran.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 June 2024
But infected frogs kept in warmer enclosures were able to fend off their infections and recover.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
In April, fellow squad member Rep. Summer Lee, D-PA, fended off a challenge in her Pittsburgh-area district from a moderate candidate who criticized her opposition to providing additional U.S. military aid for Israel.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fend off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fend off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fend off
Cite this Entry
“Fend off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fend%20off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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