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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 somehow friendship mostly triumphs over jealousy, and in the end the now-pregnant woman charts her own course, leaving the two pals to fend for themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

"This time, we are left to fend for ourselves," Hiam added.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Animal experts said that if the otters - who have since been named Valentine and Juliet - had been left to fend for themselves much longer, they likely would have died.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 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

After several days, weeks, or months of sleeping in your aunt’s basement or on a friend’s couch, a time comes when you are expected to fend for yourself.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander