forsake

/fə'seik/

Thân thiện

The traveler had to forsake his heavy backpack to cross the narrow bridge.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To abandon, to leave completely and finally: To renounce or turn away from entirely; to give up on someone or something, especially when they need or rely on you.
   • To give up, to renounce: To cease to follow, practice, or adhere to something, such as a belief, a habit, or a way of life.

Usage

• Forsake is a formal and strong verb, often implying a permanent and sometimes morally blameworthy abandonment. It is frequently used in literary, religious, or serious contexts.
• It is a transitive verb and requires an object (e.g., forsake a person, forsake a belief).
• Common structures: , .

Examples

• Verb:
  • He promised never to forsake his family, no matter how difficult things became.
  • The soldier felt forsaken by his country after the war.
  • She decided to forsake her worldly possessions and join a monastery.

Advanced Usage

• "Forsake all hope": A famous literary phrase meaning to abandon all hope completely.
  • As they entered the dark cave, they felt they had to forsake all hope of a quick return.
• "God-forsaken" (adjective): Describing a place that is bleak, desolate, or seemingly abandoned by God.
  • They got lost in a God-forsaken part of the desert.

Variants and Related Words

• Forsaken (adjective): Describing someone or something that has been abandoned.
  • The forsaken puppy looked forlorn.
• Forsaker (noun): One who forsakes (less common).

Synonyms

• Abandon: To leave completely and finally.
• Desert: To leave someone without help or support, often in a time of need.
• Renounce: To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or possession.
• Relinquish: To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; to give up.

Antonyms

• Keep: To retain possession of.
• Hold: To keep or maintain.
• Support: To bear all or part of the weight; to give assistance to.
• Cherish: To protect and care for lovingly.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• To be forsaken of: An archaic construction meaning to be deprived or devoid of.
  • The land was forsaken of all beauty. (Modern: The land was devoid of all beauty.)

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Forsake not an old friend": A proverb advising not to abandon long-standing friendships.
• "To forsake the world": To renounce secular life, often for a religious one.
  • In his search for peace, he chose to forsake the world.

Học thuật

Verb

1. leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
   • The mother deserted her children

Từ đồng nghĩa

• abandon
• desolate
• desert