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fend for

VERB

take care of

Synonyms

WEAK

eke out existence look after make do make provision for provide for stay alive subsist support survive sustain

Antonyms

WEAK

ignore neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But once the seven days are up, they said they are threatened with no further support, as well as with being left to fend for themselves.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Dave Webb, of the UK Wild Otter Trust, told BBC Scotland News that the animals condition meant they could not have been left to fend for themselves.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

When a storm blanketed the nation last month from New Mexico to the Outer Banks, many with little snow removal experience had to fend for themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

In the middle of a villain era, good people can feel like members of an endangered species reclassified as huntable and left to fend for themselves.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

They fend for themselves and kill and cook their own food.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau