fence 1 of 2

noun

ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce fence (audio)
Definition of fencenext
as in wall
a physical object that blocks the way the only way to prevent motorists from trying to use that unsafe bridge is to put a fence across the road leading to it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fence

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from had worked as a bodyguard, fencing a number of pop stars at big events

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fence
Noun
To that end, players of Belmira’s City by Michael Heizer [Free Version], which anyone can try by clicking here, must start behind an intentionally obtrusive no-trespassing fence. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Eldridge’s home run, a solo shot, was the latest exhibition of his game-changing power, an opposite-field, 423-foot blast that cleared the left-center field fence on a cold San Francisco (50-70) night with feet to spare. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Vacant and fenced off after being declared unsafe in May 2023, the seven-story resort long known as the Grand Lady appears destined for redevelopment. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 The pool, which remains fenced off and empty alongside the sides, was drained for repairs in mid-July. — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fence
  1. wall
  2. protect
  3. barricade
  4. defend
  5. barrier
  6. guard
  7. shield
  8. safeguard
Noun
  • Defensive support included a leaping grab at the wall by left fielder Tristan Peters to rob Matt McLain of an extra-base hit leading off the third inning.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The victim, a 15-year-old female, was home with her 5-year-old and 7-year-old family members when Reyes violently made entry into the residence after breaking a hole in the wall between the apartments.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wall
Verb
  • As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meta has introduced a slew of new features in recent years designed to protect minors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • There was no music and no hustle and bustle in Inwood on Sunday; just the sound of barricades being laid out in the normally boisterous neighborhood.
    — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • That same year, however, California breached the War on Drugs barricades, becoming the first state to legalize medical marijuana.
    — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of barricade
Verb
  • High defensive line When playing a back four, Coventry always defend in a 4-4-2.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • After winning the inaugural chess competition at the Esports World Cup (EWC) last year, the Norwegian Grandmaster successfully defended his crown after beating Denis Lazavik in straight sets in the Grand Final in Paris on Saturday.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • Subsurface barrier walls are frequently used to block saltwater intrusion and protect buildings from groundwater, for example.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Spain has also installed floating barriers in the waters where migrants had previously swam across.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • Right now, firms carefully guard their training data to avoid losing an edge.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • World Liberty is celebrating the major milestone, while critics worry this is a new wrinkle on the classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse that will give corporations and foreign actors a new way to stealthily curry favor with the White House.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Verb
  • Existing laws already shield utilities from billions in wildfire damages, including Altadena’s deadly Eaton fire, as new proposals could further curb victim payouts and shift costs to homeowners’ insurance.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That platform hasn’t shielded her from Washington’s uglier rituals.
    — Kate Andersen Brower, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • Despite this multi-layered surveillance system, Tuesday’s massive influx overwhelmed the filtration hardware, forcing operators to bring the reactors offline once again to safeguard the facilities.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Only when these three defenses fail does asset protection planning become relevant, safeguarding assets as a last resort.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of safeguard

Phrases Containing fence

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Cite this Entry

“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fence. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fence

Nglish: Translation of fence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fence

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