Fend off has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
Verb
Verb
1
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
"Let's avoid a confrontation"
"head off a confrontation"
"avert a strike"
2
To defend against; to repel with force or effort
Example Sentences
"Let's avoid a confrontation"
verb
"head off a confrontation"
verb
"avert a strike"
verb
Broader Terms (hypernyms)