as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack
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Recent Examples of forfend
What’s non-negotiable is that it must be made using a kettle, never — heaven forfend — a microwave.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
For people who spend too much time debating politics or surfing the internet -- or, heaven forfend, doing both at the same time -- engagement with the real world can present something of a ...
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 23 May 2024
Heaven forfend!
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 3 July 2020
In the United States, instead of building more houses inside the old circle (or, heaven forfend, even closer together and near the places people go), people have built houses even further away.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 30 Dec. 2021
But is Twitter outrage (or, heaven forfend, praise) a useful metric for audience engagement?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2021
And of course the president says oh, my gosh, heaven forfend that poor Omarosa would have to go.
—Fox News, 14 Aug. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfend
Verb
-
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.—
Tony East,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
His disciplinary history, if in existence, is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Can Max Verstappen defend his title, or will the McLaren team of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri break through?—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The overwhelming majority of protests for Palestinian freedom are nonviolent and welcoming to all people of conscience who adhere to international law and defend human rights.—
Nikki Morse,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Beyond this immediate imperative, however, European countries have less clarity and consensus about how to safeguard the transatlantic alliance.—
Michael E. O’Hanlon,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure.—
Jim Saunders,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Student loans Federal student loan rates are fixed, as well, so most borrowers are somewhat shielded from Fed moves and recent economic turmoil.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
So the hardest part was keeping the lid on it, remaining guarded, whilst also trying to have a heart and connect with him.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Mar. 2025
-
As natural protectors, dogs might decide to sit by doors to guard the house and family from possible intruders.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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