Phrase guide

fend off

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To defend against; to repel with force or effort

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • They tried citronella to fend off the mosquitos, to no avail.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: turn away, drive away, ward off

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To prevent (a vessel) from running against anything with too much violence.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Let's avoid a confrontation
  • head off a confrontation
  • avert a strike

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, avoid, ward off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid

History

Etymology

fend + off

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: dəf etmək — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Finnish: torjua — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • French: repousser — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • German: abwehren — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Greek: αβαράρω (avaráro) — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Portuguese: repelir — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Portuguese: afastar — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Spanish: repeler — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Spanish: ahuyentar — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Spanish: alejar — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Turkish: defetmek — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Turkish: kovmak — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against
  • Turkish: savuşturmak — to ward off, drive (something) away, defend against