forsake

[ fawr-seyk ]

verb (used with object)

, for·sook [fawr-, sook], for·sak·en, for·sak·ing.

1. to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert:

   She has forsaken her country for an island in the South Pacific.

2. to give up or renounce (a habit, way of life, etc.).

   Synonyms: forgo, relinquish, forswear

forsake

/ fəˈseɪk /

verb

1. to abandon
2. to give up (something valued or enjoyed)

Derived Forms

• forˈsaker, noun

Other Words From

• for·saker noun
• unfor·saking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forsake¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English forsaken “to deny, reject,” Old English forsacan, equivalent to for- prefix meaning “away, off” + sacan “to dispute”; for-

Word History and Origins

Origin of forsake¹

Old English forsacan

Synonym Study

See desert ².

Example Sentences

“You don’t have to forsake your life to make great stuff.”

From Los Angeles Times

As a single mom of three children, she’ll gladly forsake the arduous cross-country commute to Washington, and also looks forward to being around when her kids get home from school.

From Los Angeles Times

She said the state shouldn’t forsake power sources like natural gas in favor of renewables at such a cost to energy customers.

From Seattle Times

Fallibility becomes the order of the day when those in judicial robes forsake their institutional duty to rule objectively in favor of political and ideological loyalties.

From Salon

Perhaps I’m too old, too stodgy, or even too hairy to completely forsake the shirt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disown
• forgo
• forswear
• jettison
• quit
• relinquish
• renounce
• repudiate
• set aside
• spurn