verb
- to prevent or ward off (something undesirable)
- used in the phrase ‘God forefend’ or ‘Heaven forefend’ to express the hope that something will not happen
Usage: archaic; formal
Usage: archaic; exclamatory
Examples
- May Heaven forefend such a terrible outcome.
- God forefend that we should ever face such hardship again.
- The ancient rituals were meant to forefend evil spirits.
- Forefend us from making the same mistakes twice.
- Heaven forefend that I should speak ill of the departed.