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fighting off

VERB

defend oneself

Synonyms

WEAK

beat off bottle up check contain control curb fend off hold at bay hold back keep at bay oppose put up fight repel reply repress repulse resist restrain retaliate stave off ward off

Antonyms

WEAK

give in give up surrender yield

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 Navy found the stress of repeatedly fighting off drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, along with numerous combat operations, had contributed to the incident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

“Baywatch” showrunner Matt Nix was in the middle of fighting off the wildfire that ravaged his Altadena neighborhood and got dangerously close to his home when he first got the call to lead the reboot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

As Caine spoke, the president’s eyes appeared closed, as if he were fighting off sleep while standing up.

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2026

Queen Camilla has spoken for the first time publicly about fighting off an attacker on a train when she was a teenager, in an interview broadcast Wednesday.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

My parents talked quietly, Granddaddy smoked cigars and read his National Geographic, and my brothers and I took turns at fighting off sleep and failing miserably.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly