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fend for

VERB

take care of

Synonyms

WEAK

eke out existence look after make do make provision for provide for stay alive subsist support survive sustain

Antonyms

WEAK

ignore neglect

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.

Hours later, travelers looking to go on vacation or head home had to fend for themselves to find other flights.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

But once the seven days are up, they said they are threatened with no further support, as well as with being left to fend for themselves.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

It often involves having a supply of food and learning skills required to fend for yourself.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

In the middle of a villain era, good people can feel like members of an endangered species reclassified as huntable and left to fend for themselves.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

He carried himself like someone who expected to get screwed, who would have to fend for himself when that happened, and who was almost never surprised when it did.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz