Forsake
/fərˈseɪk/verb
To abandon or leave someone or something.
He made a promise that he would not forsake her.
Often appears as...
- forsake a promise
- forsake a friend
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Deep Betrayal
Forsaking someone often implies a deep sense of betrayal, especially if there's a strong relationship.
When he forsook his family, they felt deeply hurt and betrayed.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Commitment
It's usually used for abandoning serious commitments or responsibilities, not trivial ones.
The captain wouldn't forsake his crew, even in the face of danger.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Emotion
The word carries a heavy emotional weight, suggesting sadness and somberness.
Spectators were shocked when the athlete forsook the match for unknown reasons.
Compare with
abandondesertdisowngive upleaveneglectrelinquishrenounce
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