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
-
Snag straw bags that are ideal for a beach day or brunch, straw hats to keep your face protected from the sun, and popular shoe styles like woven flats, simple black flip flops, and kitten heels.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
5 July 2025
-
From quick rinses to gentle drying, here's how to protect your swimwear for seasons to come.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
And the company defended its driver-assistance systems.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
14 July 2025
-
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended the administration’s response to the disastrous July 4 floods in Texas, as its management of the Federal Emergency Management Agency receives scrutiny.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Shaping and adapting strategies that will safeguard digital infrastructure and foster a secure technological environment for the future is a critical path.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The Jennings family chose to safeguard their property with a conservation easement with the Land Trust for Tennessee.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
However, her growing prominence couldn't shield her from the pressures of censorship.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Although the afternoon storm had mostly passed, the emerging sun was almost entirely shielded by a thick canopy of trees, and fat drops of rain from the branches kept our windshield wipers working.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
During a recent interview in Rolling Stone, Murph was guarded but self-reflective.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
-
In the first quarter, Clark was being guarded closely and well out from beyond the 3-point line.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forfend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfend. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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