forswear

variants also foreswear

Synonym Chooser

How is the word forswear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of forswear are abjure, recant, renounce, and retract. While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When might abjure be a better fit than forswear?

The words abjure and forswear can be used in similar contexts, but abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

When would recant be a good substitute for forswear?

While in some cases nearly identical to forswear, recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

When can renounce be used instead of forswear?

In some situations, the words renounce and forswear are roughly equivalent. However, renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

When is retract a more appropriate choice than forswear?

The synonyms retract and forswear are sometimes interchangeable, but retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forswear Thus the Democrats have been at pains to forswear all of the lines of action that the present situation requires. John Kenneth Galbraith, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 Facing unprecedented pressure and dwindling options, Khamenei, who previously issued a fatwa forswearing the development of nuclear weapons, might consider weaponizing Iran’s nuclear program as its best form of protection. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 June 2025 By the way, what the Russians are insisting on is that Ukraine forswears NATO membership forever. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025 Utah, in its founding documents, forswore any unappropriated public lands to the federal government. Mary Steurer, ProPublica, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forswear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forswear
Verb
  • The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.
    Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Initially, both the Treasury Department and key congressional leaders were determined to repeal the SALT deduction entirely.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Federal officials have said that repealing the rule would allow for more flexible management for local land managers and aid in preventing destructive wildfires.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forswear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forswear. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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