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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
According to Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, roughly 70 fence post tops were also thrown into the pool. — Marco Gacina, NBC news, 2 July 2026 The first batter Barnes faced, Jonah Heim, deposited a 444-foot home run on the roof of the Dodgers’ clubhouse beyond the center-field fence. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
Beyond the numbers, the new iteration will no longer be confined to its workcell fenced off from warehouse workers, unlike previous Digit models. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 Later this month, the Miami City Commission will consider a proposal to launch a one-year pilot program to allow advertisements on fencing at construction sites within the urban core that have active building permits. — Tess Riski july 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 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
  • Originally more than 22,965 feet long, the ancient walls wind over the hillsides, offering stunning views of the Dalmatian countryside and the 4,000-year-old salt pans below.
    — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • On the walls, black-and-white printouts of newspaper articles, magazines and book pages looked like they were plucked from a Pinterest board on scrapbooking.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of wall
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • There aren’t enough ships to protect the reopening trade routes from pirates.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing.
    — Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Temperatures soared outside, approaching 100 degrees as police set up barricades.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of barricade
Verb
  • While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • This year, Argentina is defending its World Cup title, with Messi widely regarded as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of defend
Noun
  • The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Staffers wheeled the barriers over from the adjacent University of Washington baseball complex.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • Diving for loose balls, boxing out, guarding whoever Steve Kerr told him to, and occasionally making a basket.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Chiefs guard Trey Smith is not the only member of his family currently in the NFL, as his sister Ashley has a role in the league office.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Definition of guard
Verb
  • In a June 10 letter, Abbott ordered state regulators to shield Texans from the electricity costs related to data centers.
    — Mary Ella Hastings Updated July 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • Court documents said Gipson allegedly stabbed one victim in the leg, stabbed another in the torso who was trying to shield the other victim, and nicked the third victim in the leg.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • Some of those properties may now be serving as locations where hidden assets are being safeguarded.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • The Components of Confidential Computing Confidential Computing (CC) safeguards data during processing, not just storage or transmission.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 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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