warding

VERB

defend, guard

Synonyms

WEAK

avert avoid beat off block check deflect deter divert fend foil forestall frustrate halt hold off interrupt keep at arm's length 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.

For Glapinski, warding off a combination of slow growth and rising inflation will require flexibility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Praised for warding off pests, so-called bodega cats are also a cultural fixture for New Yorkers, some of whom are now pushing to enshrine legal rights for the little store helpers.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Part of rebirth is the bittersweet mastery of warding off misaligned energy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

Social media–savvy psychologists and life coaches have created a cottage industry of warding off and healing from narcissists.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025

It seemed to be her personal way of warding off crying.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd