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fending 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:

fending off

Former Rep. Mike Rogers is fending off similar barbs from progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan as they face off for an open Senate seat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

For a second day, Meta is fending off accusations by a coalition of US states that it deliberately designed its products to hook children and gather their data while misleading the public.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

The company had been fending off criticism for its AI spending, especially as cloud growth had been held in check.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

And Europeans continue to rely on vital intelligence sharing with the U.S. in their efforts to support Ukraine in fending off Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

Without hesitating, he dropped down onto it and ate, fending off the eyases.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George