forsake

verb

for·​sake fər-ˈsāk 

fȯr-

forsook fər-ˈsu̇k 

fȯr-

; forsaken fər-ˈsā-kən 

fȯr-

; forsaking

transitive verb

: to renounce or turn away from entirely

friends have forsaken her

forsook the theater for politics

Synonyms

• leave
• abandon

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

The Blues featured a few Galaxy supporters in the group who weren’t going to forsake the then five-time MLS Cup winners for the league’s newest franchise. —Josh Gross, Oc Register, 15 June 2025

The AfD, founded in 2013 on a promise to slash spending, close Germany’s borders, and forsake the European Union, had never earned such a powerful endorsement. —Simon Shuster/berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025

After reading the official MLB.com story, the satellites forsook me and left me without service again. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 18 June 2025

The shower curtain debate is a true pickle: Leave the shower curtain open, forsaking aesthetics, or close it and risk a shower fungal outbreak. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for forsake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• handshake
• headache
• heartache

Kids Definition

forsake

verb

for·​sake fər-ˈsāk 

fȯr-

forsook -ˈsu̇k  ; forsaken -ˈsā-kən  ; forsaking

: to give up or leave entirely

her friends have forsaken her