Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb fend_off

1 sense of fend off

Sense 1
debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off -- (prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike")
       => prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid -- (keep from happening or arising; make impossible; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project")