fence

[fens] / fɛns /

NOUN

barrier used to enclose a piece of land

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bar barbed wire barricade block dike net rail railing roadblock wall

STRONG

backstop balustrade boards chains defense guard hedge paling palisade pickets posts rampart shield stakes stockade stop

Antonyms

STRONGEST

opening

VERB

enclose or separate an area

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encircle

STRONG

bound cage circumscribe confine coop corral defend fortify girdle guard hedge hem immure mew pen protect rail restrict secure surround wall

WEAK

mure

Antonyms

STRONG

attack free harm hurt injure let go loose release set free

WEAK

face meet uncoop

VERB

dodge; beat around the bush

Synonyms

STRONG

avoid baffle cavil duck equivocate evade feint foil hedge maneuver outwit parry prevaricate quibble shift shirk sidestep stonewall tergiversate

Antonyms

STRONG

abet aid assist face help meet

WEAK

release set free uncoop

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Walesa is now 82 and stouter than he was when he hurdled that fence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yepifanov was a national fencing champion in Ukraine before suspending his career to fight on the front lines.

From BBC

I saw tall fences going up once again — this time for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit.

From Salon

Cars on PCH raced past pink and red posters adorned with flowers and fixed to the construction fence.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s one thing for purple-state governors to remain on the fence.

From The Wall Street Journal