fend
Deflect an attack
Fend means to defend or provide for, but it rarely appears alone.
To fend for yourself is to manage without help—to take care of your own needs.
To fend off is to ward away or deflect: She fended off his advances, He fended off criticism with a joke.
The word survives mainly in these phrases.
defend
Drive off or disgust
self-reliance
Continue to exist
- manageDirect or handle successfully
- copeHandle difficulties adequately
- provideSupply or make available
- independentFree from external control
resourceful · self-sufficient · hustle · improvise · subsist
repel
Drive off or disgust
survive
Continue to exist
- manageDirect or handle successfully
- copeHandle difficulties adequately
- provideSupply or make available
independent · resourceful · self-sufficient · hustle · improvise · subsist
- fender benderMinor vehicle collision
- fend offDeflect an advance
- fending offDeflecting approaching threats
- fended offDeflected or resisted
- fend for oneselfManage without assistance
- fend for yourselfManage without assistance
defend, defense, offensive, defender, offend, defended, offender, defending, defensive