Definitions

forfend

[fawr-fend] / fɔrˈfɛnd /

VERB

deter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert block dampen daunt discourage dissuade forestall frighten hinder impede intimidate obstruct preclude prevent prohibit restrain scare stop

STRONG

caution chill cool damp debar divert obviate warn

WEAK

act like a wet blanket disadvise put a damper on put off rule out shut out stave off talk out of throw cold water on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward hearten help incite inspirit permit promote push support

STRONG

heat warm

WEAK

instigate persuade put on to stimulate turn on urge

VERB

forbid

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ban block cancel censor deny deprive disallow enjoin exclude freeze halt hinder impede inhibit oppose preclude prevent proscribe restrain restrict rule out stop

STRONG

check debar embargo forestall interdict nix obstruct obviate spike stymie taboo veto withhold

WEAK

declare illegal hold up lock up put the chill on say no shut down shut out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

add admit advance aid allow approve assist continue encourage facilitate forward free go help include let go permit push release support welcome

WEAK

authorize sanction

VERB

obviate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counteract forestall preclude

STRONG

anticipate avert block counter deter hinder interfere interpose intervene prevent remove restrain ward

WEAK

do away with rule out stave off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

support

STRONG

aid allow assist encourage help let go promote

WEAK

permit

VERB

preclude

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert cease deter exclude forestall hinder impede obviate prevent prohibit rule out

STRONG

check debar discontinue interrupt quit restrain stop ward

WEAK

make impracticable put a stop to stave off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

add advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward help include permit promote push support

STRONG

continue liberate

VERB

prevent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert avoid bar block counter forbid forestall halt hamper hinder impede inhibit limit preclude prohibit put an end to restrain restrict rule out stop thwart ward off

STRONG

anticipate arrest baffle balk check chill cool cork counteract dam debar foil frustrate intercept interdict interrupt obstruct obviate repress retard

WEAK

dead-end defend against head off hold back hold off keep lid on nip in the bud put a stop to shut out stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow approve assist continue encourage facilitate forward free help let go open permit promote push release support

STRONG

abet heat liberate warm

WEAK

cause

VERB

prohibit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ban block constrain enjoin forbid freeze halt hinder impede inhibit outlaw preclude prevent proscribe restrain restrict rule out

STRONG

cool cork debar disallow hamper interdict kill nix obstruct spike stymie taboo veto

WEAK

bottle up box in bring to screeching halt gridlock hang up hold up jam up keep lid on lock up pass on put a lock on put a stopper in put chill on put down put half nelson on shut out throw cold water on tie up zing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow approve assist continue facilitate forward free help include let go permit push release support

STRONG

encourage promote

WEAK

favor

VERB

rule out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert ban cancel dismiss eliminate forbid preclude prevent prohibit revoke suspend

WEAK

abolish bate count out debar deter except forestall leave out not consider obviate proscribe recant stave off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept aid allow approve authorize help keep permit sanction welcome

WEAK

add include

VERB

stave

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avert avoid counteract foil forestall halt hold off preclude put an end to rule out thwart ward off

STRONG

arrest baffle balk bar block check chill cool cork counter dam debar forbid frustrate hamper hinder impede inhibit intercept interdict interrupt limit obstruct obviate prohibit repress restrain restrict retard stop ward

WEAK

defend against head off hold back keep lid on nip in the bud put a stop to shut out stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist forward help support

STRONG

abet advance allow approve continue encourage expedite facilitate free heat let go liberate open permit promote push release unblock warm

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:

forfend

The reason is clear: Audiences gravitate toward the popular and shrink from the unknown or, heaven forfend, the challenging.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025

Otherwise, he has to use — heaven forfend — a metal teapot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2022

But we were most impressed with his willingness to be – heaven forfend – sincere and optimistic in 2019.

From Fox News ● Dec. 31, 2019

Meanwhile, the filmmakers and stars Weinstein once so assiduously cultivated are now flocking to Netflix and Amazon — even, heaven forfend, premium cable.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 12, 2017

Heaven forfend that the owl should have suffered a fraction of what Abel wished it.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

forfend

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words