EN

Synonyms for fend off

  • verb

Most common

avoid deflect avert stave off drive away ward off

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Avoid

keep off, avoid, head off, deflect, avert, stave off, obviate, debar, forfend dated

2. Ward off — to defend against; to repel with force or effort

ward off, drive away, turn away

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To defend against; to repel with force or effort

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

  2. v. 2

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

Example sentences

  • avoid She started early in order to avoid the rush hour.
  • deflect Deflect any question related to your personal life.
  • avert We need to act now if we want to avert disaster.

By length

5 letters
avoid2, avert2, debar
7 letters
deflect2, obviate3, forfend

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (avoid2 = 2 syllables).