forsake

UK: /fə^rˈseɪk/ US: /fɔrˈseɪk/ ,(fôr sāk′)

Inflections of 'forsake' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

forsakes

v 3rd person singular

forsaking

v pres p

forsook

v past

forsaken

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

for•sake /fɔrˈseɪk/   v. [~ + object] , -sook/-ˈsʊk/ , -sak•en, -sak•ing. 

1. to quit or leave entirely;
   abandon:
   to forsake one's family.
2. to forgo:
   persuaded him to forsake smoking.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

for•sake  (fôr sāk′), v.t., -sook, -sak•en, -sak•ing. 

1. to quit or leave entirely;
   abandon;
   desert:
   She has forsaken her country for an island in the South Pacific.
2. to give up or renounce (a habit, way of life, etc.).

• Middle English forsaken to deny, reject, Old English forsacan, equivalent. to for- for- + sacan to dispute bef. 900

for•sak′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See desert ².
• 2. forswear, relinquish, forgo.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

forsake / fəˈseɪk/ verb ( -sakes, -saking, -sook / -ˈsʊk/, -saken / -ˈseɪkən/)(transitive)

1. to abandon
2. to give up (something valued or enjoyed)

Etymology: Old English forsacan

forˈsaker noun