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
Bellin later climbed a fence to get to a bike path, walking three quarters of a mile to her car covered in blood. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The brick pathway at my feet passed through a small ornamental fence, crossed some scrubby grass, then ran up the steps to the Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Pedestrians will still be able to move through much of downtown during the Grand Prix, but fencing and concrete barriers will block some familiar paths and crossings around the course. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The shoreline below has been fenced off for more than two years, pending the removal of old wood pilings. — Jake Offenhartz, New Yorker, 17 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
  • Values on a wall ask people to interpret abstractions, while stories carry judgment and understanding inside them.
    — Bryan Adams, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While the tents have the most charm, imo—ivory canvas walls, Adirondack chairs on wooden porches, true beds with sheepskin throws and wooden frames—the cabins and suites are unsurprisingly the more comfortable option.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of wall
Verb
  • Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Families who answer those questions early protect both generations.
    — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers.
    — Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In another affidavit, Ernani Bernardi, who represented Panorama City on the City Council, described how authorities had put up a barricade blocking an entrance to Blythe Street.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of barricade
Verb
  • Alonso is leaning into Chelsea’s strength — the transitional attacking power of his front three — and working on protecting the weakness, giving up too much space for his team to defend.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • The two sides were also in touch on monitoring a barrier lake that risks flooding and imperiling rescue workers.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The lab behind the glass barrier is a laboratory automation installation, built around a conveyor system.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • The inner workings of these buildings are guarded like state secrets.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Anthropic closely guards its training data sources, but music publishers think the court should require more transparency.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
Verb
  • The guests themselves remained enshrouded in secrecy as black cars were seen driving into a large white tent, with the entrance set off by black curtains, shielding attendees from nearby prying eyes.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Consumer advocacy groups, including those for wildfire victims, have criticized efforts to shield utilities from liability for fires caused by their equipment, arguing the utilities must do more on prevention.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • In 1995, after Selena’s tragic death at the hands of Yolanda Saldivar, the former president of her fan club, Abraham dedicated his life to safeguarding her legacy and overseeing primary control over her estate.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The alleged corruption occurred between 2019-24 while Hédouville headed the Office of Citizen Protection, the government agency charged with safeguarding human rights.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fence

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