variants
or less commonly forego
forwent
fȯr-ˈwent 
; forgone
fȯr-ˈgȯn
; forgone
fȯr-ˈgȯn
also -ˈgän
; forgoing
fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ
-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ
1
: to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
never forwent an opportunity of honest profit—
R. L. Stevenson
R. L. Stevensondecided to forgo dessert for a few days
2
archaic
: forsake
Examples of forgo in a Sentence
She is planning to forgo her right to a trial and simply plead guilty.
I'll forgo dessert tonight—I'm trying to lose weight.
Recent Examples on the Web
The seven-member commission — four Democrats and three Republicans — chose to forgo a robust national search, relying instead on an ad in local government publications and word of mouth to attract applicants.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
In addition, university administrators, including college deans, will forgo salary increases.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
With regards to mayo, forgo Hellmann’s and reach instead for a jar of Duke’s, a Southern staple and cult favorite that’s a little tangier than its competitor because it’s made with apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
Attacking the concepts with an edge of Black Mirror, youthful characters forgo the stress of a body altogether and upload themselves to a neural computer network, seek oblivion from sentient boulders.
—Michelle Tea
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for forgo
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
In addition, university administrators, including college deans, will forgo salary increases.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
With regards to mayo, forgo Hellmann’s and reach instead for a jar of Duke’s, a Southern staple and cult favorite that’s a little tangier than its competitor because it’s made with apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
Attacking the concepts with an edge of Black Mirror, youthful characters forgo the stress of a body altogether and upload themselves to a neural computer network, seek oblivion from sentient boulders.
—Michelle Tea
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for forgo
Cite this Entry
“Forgo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgo. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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