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for·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət 
\
\Definition of forfeit
(Entry 1 of 3)
2 : forfeiture especially of civil rights
3a : something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine
b forfeits plural : a game in which forfeits are exacted
forfeit
verbforfeited; forfeiting; forfeits
Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime
forfeit
adjectiveDefinition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
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Other Words from forfeit
Verb
forfeitable \ ˈfȯr-fə-tə-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectiveforfeiter noun
Examples of forfeit in a Sentence
Noun
the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000 Verb
He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.
They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Faced with a forfeit, the Buena Regional High School student athlete had a trainer cut his hair.
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Dakin Andone, CNN, "New Jersey banned discrimination based on hairstyle a year after a black student wrestler cut his dreadlocks to compete," 19 Dec. 2019 Each with their own scorecard, there could even be some additional forfeits added in for extra spice.
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SI.com, "5 Bonding Activities to Make Arsenal's Quintet of Captains a Closer Knit Group," 29 Sep. 2019 The game, one that might have been a forfeit, proves one-sided: N-48 runs rampant, winning, 4-0, and denying the vaunted B-67 a place in the final.
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New York Times, "Soccer at the Edge of the World," 16 Sep. 2019 Bearcats win by forfeit due to condensation on the court; XU students riot.
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Steven F. Shundich, Cincinnati.com, "Guest TML: Saturday is going to be epic for Cincinnati sports," 6 Dec. 2019 The situation nearly created a potential forfeit, per ESPN, but everything showed up in the locker room about two hours before kickoff.
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Nate Davis, USA TODAY, "32 things we learned from Week 14 of the 2019 NFL season," 9 Dec. 2019 The Gators won six matches via forfeit, Jack Goldscher (120), Ben Coler (152), Dylan Wiegert (182) and Dylan Altman (285) won by fall, Kaz Okamoto (145) earned a decision and Luke Sims (170) won via disqualification.
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Tim Schwartz, baltimoresun.com, "Reservoir wrestling opens season with win against Wilde Lake," 5 Dec. 2019 Division VII, Region 28: Cincinnati College Prep beat MVCA by a forfeit on Friday and Lockland beat North College Hill, 34-12.
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James Weber, Cincinnati.com, "Week 9 high school football takeaways: Playoff madness in Ohio; brackets set in NKY," 27 Oct. 2019 West said a forfeit of the Nazareth game is a possibility, but would not be likely until Dec. 5, the next time the full MSHSAA board convenes.
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Greg Voss, chicagotribune.com, "High school football team under scrutiny after running back playing illegally identified by tattoos," 17 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The team was also fined $5 million — the maximum allowed by the league’s constitution — and forced to forfeit its next two first- and second-round draft picks.
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Tyler Kepner, New York Times, "Technology, Once the Astros’ Ally, Helps Do Them In," 13 Jan. 2020 Houston was also hit with a $5 million fine, the maximum allowed by MLB, and the team will have to forfeit their first and second round draft picks in 2020 and 2021.
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TheWeek, "MLB issues historic punishment for Astros following sign-stealing investigation," 13 Jan. 2020 Kentucky later won an SEC championship in 1976 when Mississippi State was forced to forfeit its games for using an ineligible player.
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Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, "Before the Belk Bowl, Virginia Tech played a key role in Kentucky football history," 23 Dec. 2019 Manzo, who is due in court Monday, could be forced to forfeit his pension or have part of it recalculated without the fraudulent vacation days, prosecutors said.
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Alejandro Serrano, SFChronicle.com, "The Scanner: Retired battalion chief in hot water, BART coffee-shop scheme ends in plea," 9 Dec. 2019 Capitals player banned Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway was suspended three games and forced to forfeit $24,194 in salary for spitting on Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson on Monday night.
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BostonGlobe.com, "The Toronto Maple Leafs fired coach," 21 Nov. 2019 Glendale had to forfeit a league game earlier this season against Muir because of low numbers stemming from multiple injuries.
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Burbank Leader, "Weekly Football Previews: Burroughs vs. Pasadena; Burbank vs. Glendale," 15 Oct. 2019 Glendale had to forfeit a league game earlier this season against Muir because of low numbers stemming from multiple injuries.
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Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press, "Top-ranked Crescenta Valley football blanks Glendale in matinee league contest," 14 Oct. 2019 Ozuna turned down a qualifying offer from the Cardinals at the beginning of the offseason, so any team that signs him will forfeit a draft pick.
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Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Report: Cincinnati Reds emerge as favorite to sign Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama," 26 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective That record includes a forfeit victory over Daphne.
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Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Coastal Alabama Week 7 Capsules: Region play resumes with critical games in Mobile," 30 Sep. 2019 Medford’s appeal of using an ineligible player this season in boys’ soccer was denied Thursday by the MIAA’s Board of Directors, resulting in Lincoln-Sudbury getting a forfeit win, 1-0, in advance of Saturday’s Division 1 North championship game.
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BostonGlobe.com, "Medford’s appeal of using an ineligible player this season in boys’ soccer was denied Thursday by the MIAA’s Board of Directors, resulting in Lincoln-Sudbury getting a forfeit win, 1-0, in advance of Saturday’s Division 1 North championship game.," 15 Nov. 2019 Beech Grove, which is 5-4 on the field with two forfeit losses, lost quarterback Gavin Mitchell last week due to a broken collarbone.
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Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "Here are the top Indy-area sectional football games this week," 22 Oct. 2019 The Toros own the tiebreaker by virtue of a forfeit win against the Trojans.
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Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Coastal Week 10 Capsules: 5 games to watch in the Mobile-area this week," 21 Oct. 2019 Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914.
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Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Hogs return to scene of most recent SEC win," 7 Sep. 2019 Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914.
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Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Hogs return to scene of most recent SEC win," 7 Sep. 2019 Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914.
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Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Hogs return to scene of most recent SEC win," 7 Sep. 2019 That cut Lansdowne’s 6-0 lead, that came on a forfeit win at 120, in half.
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Craig Clary, baltimoresun.com, "Unbeaten Lansdowne wrestling squad wins final two matches and defeats Franklin," 25 Jan. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forfeit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for forfeit
forfeit
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of forfeit
(Entry 1 of 3)
: something that is lost or given up as punishment or because of a rule or law
forfeit
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)
: to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law
forfeit
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
formal : given up or taken away as a punishment or because of a rule or law
See the full definition for forfeit in the English Language Learners Dictionary
forfeit
verbfor·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət \
\forfeited; forfeiting
Kids Definition of forfeit
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to lose or lose the right to as punishment for a fault, error, or crime
“If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!” said Harry.— J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets
forfeit
nounKids Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 2)
: something or the right to something lost as punishment for a fault, error, or crime
forfeit
nounfor·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət \
\Legal Definition of forfeit
(Entry 1 of 3)
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited
forfeit
transitive verbLegal Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense
shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity — U.S. Code
2 : to subject to forfeiture
it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the same — Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)
forfeit
adjectiveLegal Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
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Time Traveler for forfeit
The first known use of forfeit was in the 14th century
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