Synonyms of forsake

forsake

verb

fər-ˈsāk 

as in to leave

to cause to remain behind

forsaking most of our possessions, we evacuated just before the hurricane struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leave
• abandon
• desert
• strand
• dump
• quit
• discard
• relinquish
• ditch
• walk away from
• renounce
• shed
• walk out on
• maroon
• escape
• fling
• sacrifice
• vacate
• ignore
• jettison
• reject
• scrap
• forget
• throw away
• withdraw (from)
• surrender
• separate (from)
• cut off
• repudiate
• throw out
• retreat (from)
• disown
• yield
• abjure
• give up
• take off (from)
• deliver
• disregard
• neglect
• hand over
• junk
• shuck (off)
• distance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• have
• possess
• keep
• retain
• hold
• own
• withhold
• reclaim
• reserve
• save
• redeem
• harbor
• rescue

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forsake contrast with its synonyms?

The words abandon and desert are common synonyms of forsake. While all three words mean "to leave without intending to return," 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

When would abandon be a good substitute for forsake?

While the synonyms abandon and forsake are close in meaning, abandon suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless without protection.

abandoned children

When might desert be a better fit than forsake?

The synonyms desert and forsake are sometimes interchangeable, but desert implies that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed by one's absence.

a deserted town

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of forsake

Don’t forsake the things that bring you joy during this time. —Nicole Lipkin, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Many feel this return to war is a huge betrayal, and that Netanyahu and his government are forsaking the remaining hostages, leaving them to die in Gaza. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025

But that doesn’t mean forsaking the forecast and the threat of more dipping temperatures to come. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025

Taylor however is adamant that the style of play which took them to successive promotions will not be forsaken now even with Ipswich Town mired in the relegation zone, five points from safety. —Asif Burhan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025