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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.

The ECB, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have called on governments to target any help it offers this time around to vulnerable households, and leave others to fend for themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

When they were told their flight had left, she said EasyJet representatives then "left us to fend for ourselves".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"Now, they're left to fend for themselves," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 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

What, you don’t think I can fend for myself?

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner