verb
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
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Let's avoid a confrontation
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head off a confrontation
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avert a strike
• Syn:
• Derivationally related forms: ↑avoidable (for: ↑avoid), ↑avertible (for: ↑avert), ↑avertable (for: ↑avert), ↑obviation (for: ↑obviate)
• Verb Frames:
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Somebody ——s something
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Something ——s something
* * *
fend off [phrasal verb]
fend off (someone or something) or fend (someone or something) off : to defend yourself against (someone or something)
They succeeded in fending off the attack/attackers.
They have had to fend off allegations of voter fraud.
• • •
Main Entry: ↑fend
Useful english dictionary. 2012.