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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Arsenal must protect themselves against a similar outcome next season — and the transfer market provides their best opportunity to do that.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Verb
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A day after the singer, 38, shocked fans by walking the 2025 American Music Awards red carpet with a blonde bob — a far departure from her trademark long locks — Pratt, 41, defended his wife against hate comments.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
28 May 2025
-
Rubio strongly defended free speech on campuses in 2023.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
When payments happen outside the App Store, the responsibility for safeguarding transactions falls to the developer.—
Chris Hewish,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Lee’s next test in safeguarding those interests promises to be trickier: restoring stability to South Korea following the tumultuous ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment was confirmed in April following his December 2024 declaration of martial law.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
The dining area, living room, and study all spill out to terraces shielded by deep overhangs and a minimalist pergola.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
30 May 2025
-
Despite criminal convictions, successive Republican and Democratic administrations have shielded them from deportation since the war's end decades ago.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Seeing rookies such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, out there running around with life-giving joy and their sky-high potential was refreshing.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2025
-
Instead of distributing food to sites in Gaza where people are starving, the new group will operate in only four new zones with Israeli soldiers guarding the perimeters, NPR's Daniel Estrin reports.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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