fend off

phrasal verb

fended off; fending off; fends off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something)
They succeeded in fending off the attack/attackers.
They have had to fend off allegations of voter fraud.

Examples of fend off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moore fended off challenges from Republican Tim Rogers and Independent Robert R. Raymond, both of whom have lost to her before. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile in House District 62, representing Bloomington, incumbent Republican state Rep. Dave Hall is narrowly fending off Democrat Thomas Horrocks by about 3 percentage points with three quarters of the votes counted. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024 In the 9th Congressional District, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D), the longest-serving woman in congressional history, is fending off a challenge from Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024 There's no Democrat in the race, technically, as Fischer is fending off a fierce challenge from independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn, a union leader. Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fend off 

Dictionary Entries Near fend off

Cite this Entry

“Fend off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fend%20off. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!