Forswear
verb
To promise to stop doing or using something.
He forswore cigarettes as his New Year's resolution.

Often appears as...
- forswear alcohol
- forswear violence
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To say firmly that you did not do or see something.
He forswore any knowledge of the crime.

Often appears as...
- forswear knowledge
- forswear involvement
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To give up or resign under oath.
The witness had to forswear his previous testimony.

Often appears as...
- forswear testimony
- forswear statement
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To promise to stop doing or using something.
He forswore cigarettes as his New Year's resolution.

Often appears as...
- forswear alcohol
- forswear violence
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To say firmly that you did not do or see something.
He forswore any knowledge of the crime.

Often appears as...
- forswear knowledge
- forswear involvement
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To give up or resign under oath.
The witness had to forswear his previous testimony.

Often appears as...
- forswear testimony
- forswear statement
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3

Commitment Intensity
Using 'forswear' emphasizes a strong commitment to quitting a habit.

After his health scare, he forswore junk food completely.
Formal Context
'Forswear' is formal and might not be common in everyday conversation.

In his speech, the mayor announced he would forswear any salary increase.
Serious Undertaking
The word 'forswear' implies a serious and often public declaration.

She forswore her corporate career for a life of activism.
Commitment Intensity
Using 'forswear' emphasizes a strong commitment to quitting a habit.

After his health scare, he forswore junk food completely.
Formal Context
'Forswear' is formal and might not be common in everyday conversation.

In his speech, the mayor announced he would forswear any salary increase.
Serious Undertaking
The word 'forswear' implies a serious and often public declaration.

She forswore her corporate career for a life of activism.
Commitment Intensity
Using 'forswear' emphasizes a strong commitment to quitting a habit.

After his health scare, he forswore junk food completely.
Formal Context
'Forswear' is formal and might not be common in everyday conversation.

In his speech, the mayor announced he would forswear any salary increase.
Serious Undertaking
The word 'forswear' implies a serious and often public declaration.

She forswore her corporate career for a life of activism.
Quote examples
Howard Jacobson
British Novelist
The day I don't attend to my nostrils is the day I will have forsworn that world and become a different person. Someone otherwise preoccupied. Someone who couldn't care less what anyone thinks of his appearance - someone for whom the material life has lost its appeal.

Quote examples
Howard Jacobson
British Novelist
The day I don't attend to my nostrils is the day I will have forsworn that world and become a different person. Someone otherwise preoccupied. Someone who couldn't care less what anyone thinks of his appearance - someone for whom the material life has lost its appeal.

Example 1 of 1
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