fended off

VERB

keep at bay

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert avoid deflect rebuff rebut reject repel repulse resist spurn ward off

WEAK

beat off drive back hold at bay keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep off parry rebuke refuse snub stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve attract want welcome

WEAK

let in

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.

See Examples For:

fended off

NBC News and CBS News called the race in Ossoff's favor, as he fended off a challenge from Republican Mike Collins in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch, who are both in their 70s and have collectively been in office for more than six decades, fended off younger and leftier challengers.

From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026

JonesTrading’s O’Rourke noted that the 50-DMA had fended off pullbacks in June and July.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

Back then, the U.S. government temporarily fended off Japanese companies by restricting imports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

At the same time, the Wampanoag fended off Indians from the interior, preventing them from trading directly with the foreigners.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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