forefend vs ward off

forefend and ward off both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
forefend	No	No	Yes	No
ward off	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, forefend and ward off are synonyms defined as:

forefend and ward off: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off

Other synonyms of forefend include avert, avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off.

forefend (verb)	ward off (verb)
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off	avert, turn away, or repel
	prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off