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

Examples of forsake in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web All western nations have forsaken the death penalty. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024 Most Axios Philadelphia readers would forsake the Sixers if the team left for New Jersey, our Axios poll found. Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 23 July 2024 In a city famously forsaken by professional sports, Opening Day could not come soon enough. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 21 July 2024 Plunder wasn’t being forsaken so much as redirected and made routine. Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for forsake 

Thesaurus Entries Near forsake

Cite this Entry

“Forsake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forsake. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on forsake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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