1. defending oneself against attack or harm
Usage: present participle of ‘fend’
2. taking care of oneself without help from others
Usage: often used in the phrase ‘fending for oneself’

Examples

• She was fending off the aggressive dog with a stick.
• The boxer spent the round fending off his opponent’s punches.
• After losing his job, he’s been fending for himself.
• The children learned to start fending for themselves at an early age.
• He was fending off criticism from his colleagues.
• The small business is fending off competition from larger companies.