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

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 forsake 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 See All Example Sentences for forsake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forsake
Verb
  • Advertisement That confluence of tricky politics has left a lot of D.C.’s political class in a bind.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Nevertheless, the move will leave Ipswich Town as the only women’s team in WSL2 playing outside their county.
    Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
  • Another noted that the Post tried to become a national rival to The New York Times and failed — abandoning its identity as a regional and D.C. insider paper in the process.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forsake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forsake. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forsake

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