forsake

verb

for·​sake fər-ˈsāk How to pronounce forsake (audio)
fȯr-
forsook fər-ˈsu̇k How to pronounce forsake (audio)
fȯr-
; forsaken fər-ˈsā-kən How to pronounce forsake (audio)
fȯr-
; forsaking

transitive verb

: to renounce or turn away from entirely
friends have forsaken her
forsook the theater for politics
Choose the Right Synonym for forsake

abandon, desert, forsake mean to leave without intending to return.

abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

forsake suggests an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical dangers.

a forsaken lover

Examples of forsake in a Sentence

forsaking most of our possessions, we evacuated just before the hurricane struck
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And kudos to Tyler for never forsaking his outsider status for the sake of mainstream exposure, or capitulating to any hip-hop trends over the past decade. Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024 Therein lies the other critical element of the equation: a lack of pretense and fuss which does not forsake sophistication. Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024 But is that what drives grown-ups to forsake other activities and pour their efforts into cross-pollinating, feeding and nurturing great pumpkins of sizes Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang could never imagine? Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 The team could stay in its longtime home and not forsake its fanbase in the city. Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forsake 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English forsacan, from for- + sacan to dispute; akin to Old English sacu action at law — more at sake

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forsake was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near forsake

Cite this Entry

“Forsake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forsake. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

forsake

verb
for·​sake fər-ˈsāk How to pronounce forsake (audio)
fȯr-
forsook -ˈsu̇k How to pronounce forsake (audio) ; forsaken -ˈsā-kən How to pronounce forsake (audio) ; forsaking
: to give up or leave entirely
her friends have forsaken her

More from Merriam-Webster on forsake

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