What does "fend off" mean?

To defend against; to repel with force or effort

What is a synonym for "fend off"?

Common synonyms include: anticipate, avert, avert, avoid, avoid, bar.

verb

verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Verb

1
To defend against; to repel with force or effort
"They tried citronella to fend off the mosquitos, to no avail."
2
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off wordnet
3
To prevent (a vessel) from running against anything with too much violence.

"They tried citronella to fend off the mosquitos, to no avail."

fend + off