Home > Antonyms > Antonyms for fence

Antonyms for fence

Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : fens
Phonetic Transcription : fɛns

Definition of fence

Origin :
  • early 14c., "action of defending," shortening of defens (see defense). Spelling alternated between -c- and -s- in Middle English. Sense of "enclosure" is first recorded mid-15c. on notion of "that which serves as a defense." Sense of "dealer in stolen goods" is thieves' slang, first attested c.1700, from notion of such transactions taking place under defense of secrecy. To be figuratively on the fence "uncommitted" is from 1828, perhaps from the notion of spectators at a fight, or a simple literal image: "A man sitting on the top of a fence, can jump down on either side with equal facility." [Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1848].
  • noun barrier used to enclose a piece of land
  • verb enclose or separate an area
  • verb dodge; beat around the bush
Example sentences :
  • "I got the gun, and the Maxim-silencer thing, off a fence in Boston," he explained.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Yates sat on the top rail of the fence with the whittler, whose guest he had been.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Therefore, two men of strong beliefs were set on opposite sides of the fence.
  • Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser
  • They sat around on the fence, or on the logs dumped down by the wayside.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Yates sprang to his feet with a laugh, and followed him to the fence.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • "Yes," answered Yates, springing over the fence and approaching her.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • "We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over the fence.
  • Extract from : « The Little Colonel » by Annie Fellows Johnston
  • The white posts of which the fence was made were elephants' tusks!
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • Do you think you can fence in a sentiment as you can cattle?
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • Among the old Germans, an estate was separated by a fence from the property of others.
  • Extract from : « Beowulf » by Unknown

Synonyms for fence

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019