foreclose
verb
fore·close
(ˌ)fȯr-ˈklōz 
foreclosed; foreclosing; forecloses
1
: to shut out : preclude
2
: to hold exclusively
3
: to deal with or close in advance
4
: to subject to foreclosure proceedings
: to foreclose a mortgage
Examples of foreclose in a Sentence
They've been unable to make their mortgage payments, and the bank has threatened to foreclose.
The bank has threatened to foreclose their mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web
In those cases, the taxing authority or lender can foreclose.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The bill, if approved, would bar any payout arising from a lawsuit filed by a president or vice president, language that is designed to permanently foreclose the fund, or anything like it, from being put in place by a future administration.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
That, combined with variable-rate loans which skyrocketed loan costs, led to many homeowners defaulting on their loans and causing banks to foreclose on the properties.
—Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The hard truth is that a community association can foreclose on a home for even a very small unpaid assessment, and the fees that pile on top almost always dwarf the original debt.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreclose
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Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The bill, if approved, would bar any payout arising from a lawsuit filed by a president or vice president, language that is designed to permanently foreclose the fund, or anything like it, from being put in place by a future administration.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
That, combined with variable-rate loans which skyrocketed loan costs, led to many homeowners defaulting on their loans and causing banks to foreclose on the properties.
—Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The hard truth is that a community association can foreclose on a home for even a very small unpaid assessment, and the fees that pile on top almost always dwarf the original debt.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreclose
Cite this Entry
“Foreclose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreclose. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
foreclose
verb
fore·close
(ˈ)fōr-ˈklōz
(ˈ)fȯr-
: to take legal measures to end a mortgage and take possession of the mortgaged property because the conditions of the mortgage have not been met
foreclosure
noun
-ˈklō-zhər
Legal Definition
foreclose
verb
fore·close
fōr-ˈklōz
: to subject to foreclosure proceedings
: to foreclose a mortgage or other security interest compare repossess, seize sense 2
Etymology
Anglo-French forclos, past participle of foreclore to preclude, prevent, from fors outside + clore to close
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