FORFEIT Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

forfeit 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯr-fət

Definition of forfeit

as in penalty

a sum of money to be paid as a punishment the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000

Synonyms & Similar Words

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forfeit

2 of 2

verb

as in to waive

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to lose

Related Words

lose
drop

Dissimilar Words

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 forfeit

Noun

Since Inglewood lost, forcing the school to forfeit was moot. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Democrats, on the other hand, accused Republicans of aiming to forfeit yet another one of the powers explicitly delegated to Congress in the Constitution. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

The five-time major winner had to agree to forfeit any player equity shares for the next five years, was not eligible for the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus program in 2026, and agreed to make a $5 million donation to charity. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026 Organizations that violate this would forfeit the privileges Montana grants them to do business in the state, including limited liability, which protects owners from personal responsibility for business debts. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forfeit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfeit

Noun

Hertl's second power-play goal of the night — and the second allowed by the Penguins' penalty kill at home — sent Pittsburgh to a third straight loss.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
When lawmakers meet next year, the Texas Cannabis Policy Center is focused on reducing the penalty for possessing marijuana.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of penalty

Verb

Running back Kendre Miller, who led the Horned Frogs with 1,399 rushing yards in 2022, was waived by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2026
But the outlook predicts the council will not continue to waive the annual contribution to the climate equity fund, which helps fund projects in low-income areas that help communities cope with climate change.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of waive

Verb

Days after losing the governor’s race by a wide margin, Republican Steve Hilton argued Thursday his campaign should serve as a template for future GOP tickets and hinted at a potential second run for governor.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
There is no tension between expectation and reality, no concrete regret or achievement, no shift in perspective, nothing gained or lost.

— Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lose

Noun

If the owner refuses to stop short-term leasing the unit after facing fines, the association may file a declaratory lawsuit seeking a court order to cease violations of the governing documents.

— Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Tony has not clarified whether the $35,000 agency expenditure was drawn directly from taxpayer money or from alternative department funding streams, such as law enforcement forfeitures, seizures or fines.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of fine

Noun

The club remained closed after the shooting, and the filing seeks $1 million in damages.

— Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
General assertions of lost profits, out-of-pocket expenses and reputational harm did not satisfy the requirement to plead special damages, Gayles wrote.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of damages

Browse Nearby Words

for fair

forfeit

forfeited

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfeit. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of forfeit

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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