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

• abandon
• desert
• leave
• maroon
• quit
• strand

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

Should the United States forsake Ukraine, Europe would suffer multiple misfortunes. —Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025

But in this case, unfortunately, Netflix quite deliberately forsook what was actually unique about the novel to produce a series resembling every other historical program now on offer — with a few more olive trees. —Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025

Republican justices have pointedly overturned landmark rulings by a previous Democratic majority, and in dissents, Democrats have accused the majority of forsaking law for partisanship. —Michael Wines, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Growing up in a home that didn’t assimilate or forsake its culture served Addy well as his fixation on fashion was intrinsic. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 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