forwent
Definition
- Verb (past tense of ):
- To abstain from or give up: "forwent" means to choose not to do or have something, often voluntarily or as a matter of principle.
- To refrain from claiming or enjoying: It implies a deliberate decision to relinquish a right, benefit, or pleasure.
Usage Examples
- (She deliberately gave up coffee.)
- (They chose not to take the chance.)
- (He refrained from eating dessert.)
Advanced Usage
"to forgo a right": to voluntarily surrender a legal or moral entitlement.
- The plaintiff forwent her right to a jury trial. (She chose not to exercise that legal right.)
"to forgo a pleasure": to intentionally avoid something enjoyable.
- They forwent the vacation to focus on work. (They gave up the holiday.)
Variants and Related Words
Forgo (verb, base form): the present tense of the verb.
- I often forgo sleep to finish projects. (I give up sleep.)
Forgone (past participle): used with auxiliary verbs.
- We have forgone many luxuries this year. (We have voluntarily given them up.)
Forgoing (present participle/gerund): the act of giving up.
- Forgoing sweets is difficult for her. (The act of abstaining from sweets.)
Synonyms
- Abstain from: to choose not to do something.
- Refrain from: to hold back from doing something.
- Relinquish: to give up something, often a possession or right.
- Waive: to voluntarily give up a claim or right.
Related Idioms
To do without: to manage without something.
- He forwent the luxury car and did without. (He chose to have no car at all.)
To pass up: to decline an opportunity.
- She forwent the promotion and passed up the chance. (She declined it.)