forsook
Definition
- Verb (past tense of ):
- To abandon or leave: "forsook" means to have left someone or something, especially when one should have stayed or provided support.
- To renounce or give up: "forsook" can also mean to have voluntarily given up a habit, practice, or belief.
Usage Examples
To abandon or leave:
- He forsook his family to pursue a life of adventure. (He abandoned his family, leaving them behind.)
- The dog forsook its owner during the storm. (The dog left its owner in a time of need.)
To renounce or give up:
- She forsook her old habits of smoking and drinking. (She voluntarily gave up those bad habits.)
- They forsook their traditional beliefs after moving to the city. (They renounced or abandoned their former customs.)
Advanced Usage
"forsook for": to leave one thing in favour of another.
- He forsook his comfortable job for a risky startup. (He abandoned his stable job to pursue a more uncertain venture.)
"forsook in times of trouble": to abandon someone when they need help most.
- Many friends forsook him when he fell ill. (They left him during his time of sickness.)
Variants and Related Words
Forsake (verb, present tense): to abandon or give up.
- Do not forsake your principles. (Do not abandon your moral standards.)
Forsaken (past participle): having been abandoned.
- The forsaken house stood empty for years. (The house was left abandoned.)
Forsaking (gerund/present participle): the act of abandoning.
- Forsaking one's duties is considered irresponsible. (The act of abandoning responsibilities.)
Synonyms
- Abandoned: left behind or given up.
- Renounced: formally gave up or rejected.
- Deserted: left without intending to return.
- Quit: stopped or left voluntarily.
Related Idioms
"Forsook the path": to abandon a chosen course of action or moral direction.
- He forsook the path of honesty and began to lie. (He abandoned his commitment to truthfulness.)
"Forsook one's post": to leave a position of duty or responsibility.
- The guard forsook his post, leaving the gate unguarded. (He abandoned his assigned duty.)