FENDED (OFF) Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

fended (off)

verb

past tense of fend (off)

as in repulsed

to drive back the herd fended off attacking hyenas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fended (off)

Verb

His recent comments didn’t favor the Browns fanbase, and many Cleveland fans seem viscerally repulsed by him.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Most Americans are repulsed by the core ideas of radical leftists.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of repulsed

Verb

The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and posted video footage of their kamikaze drone strikes destroying at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some that carried the Arena-M system, according to Euromaidan Press.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
The narrator, though curious to speak herself, is finally repelled.

— Maya Binyam, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of repelled

Verb

The suspect was uncooperative during the contact and physically resisted, briefly pulling the officer partially inside his vehicle, Lincoln police said in a social media post.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The tribute carries particular resonance because Parton had previously resisted efforts to put her own legacy on a pedestal.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of resisted

Verb

The 42-year-old turned back the clock Sunday, with 10 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Tropical Storm Dolly may have turned back into just a tropical wave on Friday, but the National Hurricane Center is now giving it as well as a new system in the Gulf a chance to develop.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of turned back

Verb

Sprague told the jury that Clancy was never turned away from mental health care, but that in fact Clancy refused help.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
This summer, Whatley’s campaign barred journalists from mainstream and left-leaning outlets from events, while Cooper’s campaign turned away staffers from two conservative outlets, but local coverage focused more heavily on Whatley.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of turned away

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

fended for oneself

fended (off)

fender

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fended (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fended%20%28off%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fended (off)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes