Synonyms of forswear

forswear

verb

fȯr-ˈswer 

variants also foreswear

as in to renounce

to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

the new government would have to forswear the use of torture if it wished to be granted full diplomatic recognition

Synonyms & Similar Words

• renounce
• repeal
• withdraw
• deny
• abjure
• retract
• recant
• abandon
• renege
• repudiate
• take back
• unsay
• abnegate
• forsake
• spurn
• relinquish
• disavow
• gainsay
• disclaim
• disown
• contradict
• controvert
• refute
• disprove
• negate
• revoke
• rebut
• disagree (with)
• surrender
• recall
• negative
• dispute
• give up
• disallow
• back down
• back off
• backtrack
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• admit
• declare
• acknowledge
• assert
• claim
• affirm
• contend
• proclaim
• adhere (to)
• profess
• state
• defend
• support
• confirm
• accept
• endorse
• uphold
• adopt
• avow
• vow
• embrace
• back
• vouch
• indorse
• espouse

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

Recent Examples of forswear

The logic to this argument is that a democratic and pro-Western Iran would forswear nuclear weapons (and mean it) and back away from supporting proxies. —Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2025

Imagine Roger Federer forswearing Wimbledon. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025

Saudi Arabia has also hedged its bets, refusing to forswear enrichment or reprocessing and maintaining an outdated arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency that limits the access of international inspectors. —Eric Brewer, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2022

By the way, what the Russians are insisting on is that Ukraine forswears NATO membership forever. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025

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