"Fending" means to protect or defend oneself from harm or danger. There are several synonyms for "fending," including shielding, guarding, safeguarding, securing, and fortifying. Shielding refers to the act of providing a barrier against harm or danger, while guarding means keeping watch over something to prevent harm. Safeguarding involves taking measures to prevent harm or damage, while securing means making something safe. Fortifying refers to making something stronger and more resilient. All of these synonyms for "fending" imply an active effort to protect oneself or someone or something else from harm, and choosing the right word depends on the context in which it is used.