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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

Dave Webb, of the UK Wild Otter Trust, told BBC Scotland News that the animals condition meant they could not have been left to fend for themselves.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 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

When Kaz had brought her to the Slat, he’d warned her that he wouldn’t be able to watch out for her, that she’d have to fend for herself, and she had.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo