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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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
-
Applying a daily sunscreen can help protect your skin from UV rays.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
15 July 2025
-
The formula blends potent ingredients—edelweiss native cells, niacinamide, and ginger root extract—to strengthen hair fibers, protecting against mechanical damage caused by frequent brushing or styling.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Mark was disappointed, but the poster defended himself, saying he’s helped before and didn’t want to be taken for granted.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
27 July 2025
-
In reality, a number of simple changes can defend against most attacks.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Ruda thought these coatings could also shield human eyes from the sun.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Valerie Biden Owens, Joe Biden's sister, faced no public charges but was pardoned to shield her from politically motivated attacks.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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