forfend
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to defend, secure, or protect.
-
to fend off, avert, or prevent.
-
Archaic. forbid.
verb
-
to protect or secure
-
obsolete to prohibit or prevent
Etymology
Origin of forfend
First recorded in 1350–1400, forfend is from the Middle English word forfenden. See for-, fend
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 reason is clear: Audiences gravitate toward the popular and shrink from the unknown or, heaven forfend, the challenging.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025
Recently relocated to Paris from Los Angeles, Millepied has not — heaven forfend — been idle.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2024
Otherwise, he has to use — heaven forfend — a metal teapot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2022
And heaven forfend that we report deaths occurring more than two days before.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 19, 2021
Heaven forfend that the owl should have suffered a fraction of what Abel wished it.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
