Definitions

keep at arm's length

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fend off v.
neglect v.
rebuff v.
repel v.
ward/ward off v.

VERB

fend off

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 off parry rebuke refuse snub stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve attract want welcome

WEAK

let in

VERB

neglect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

discount disregard ignore overlook reject spurn underestimate

STRONG

affront condemn depreciate despise detest disdain dismiss pretermit rebuff scant scorn slight slur

WEAK

brush aside brush off have nothing to do with keep one's distance laugh off let go live with make light of not care for pass by pass over pass up pay no attention to pay no mind shrug off tune out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attend heed look at note notice pay attention recognize regard respect

STRONG

admire approve cherish compliment flatter like love praise welcome

WEAK

accomplish achieve complete concern do finish guard nurture protect succeed take care of watch

VERB

rebuff

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chide deny dismiss disregard fend off ignore oppose rebuke refuse reject repudiate resist snub spurn turn down

STRONG

check cross cut decline disallow discourage neglect repel reprove repulse slight

WEAK

beat off brush off cold-shoulder hold off keep at a distance keep at bay lash out at not hear of pass up push back put in one's place put off send away stave off tell off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept acknowledge admit allow approve compliment go along grant note pay attention praise regard sanction welcome

STRONG

aid assist attract help permit

WEAK

hug include take in

VERB

repel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand

STRONG

buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse

WEAK

beat back beat off brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support

WEAK

attract draw

VERB

ward/ward off

Synonyms

WEAK

avert avoid beat off block check deflect deter divert fend foil forestall frustrate halt hold off interrupt keep at bay keep off obviate parry preclude prevent rebuff rebut repel repulse rule out stave off stop stymie thwart turn turn aside turn away

Antonyms

WEAK

lay bare make vulnerable open

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.

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keep at arm's length

It makes them increasingly difficult to keep at arm's length.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2025

Virtually anyone who’s worked in an office had at least one or two co-workers whom they tried to keep at arm’s length.

From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2020

Next season, the Raiders are moving into a $1.8 billion stadium in Las Vegas - a city NFL officials worked hard to keep at arm’s length for decades.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 27, 2020

Next season, the Raiders are moving into a $1.8 billion stadium in Las Vegas — a city NFL officials worked hard to keep at arm’s length for decades.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 26, 2020

The class he was to keep at arm's length till he was safely "in."

From The Ffolliots of Redmarley by L. Allen (Lizzie Allen) Harker

keep at arm's length

Example Sentences

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Related Words