fend
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for fend, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To look after or provide for oneself, without relying on others.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To look after or provide for oneself, without relying on others.
“After his parents passed, he had to fend for himself at sixteen.”
How to use fend
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fend for yourself
fend off an attack
fend off questions
Etymology
A shortened form of Middle English "defenden" ("to defend"), from Latin defendo.
Full origin of fend →Frequently asked questions
What does “fend” mean?
The word “fend” means to look after or provide for oneself, without relying on others. In plain terms, to take care of yourself, or to block/deflect something unwanted.
How do you pronounce “fend”?
“Fend” is pronounced FEHND (/ˈfɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fend” in a sentence?
Here is “fend” used in a sentence: “After his parents passed, he had to fend for himself at sixteen.”
What part of speech is “fend”?
“Fend” is a verb.
Where does the word “fend” come from?
The word “fend” comes from Latin. A shortened form of Middle English "defenden" ("to defend"), from Latin defendo.
Is “fend” a common word?
“Fend” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fend” have?
“Fend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look after or provide for oneself, without relying on others.
