forsake

/fəˈseɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /fərˈseɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /fər-ˈsāk fȯr-/ (ame, mw)

forsake — verb

  • forsakepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • forsakeshe / she / it
  • forsookpast simple
  • forsakenpast participle
  • forsaking-ing form

1. to turn away from a person, place, or duty and no longer stay loyal to it, espec

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to turn away from a person, place, or duty and no longer stay loyal to it, especially at the moment your help or presence is most needed.

例句

When Adina became ill, her husband did not forsake her.

forsake + person who needs care

The villagers believed the king had forsaken them during the food shortage.

forsake + group in hardship

同義詞
  • abandon

    the closest everyday choice; less literary than 'forsake'

  • desert

    stronger for failing a duty, especially to people or a post

  • leave

    more general and neutral; it does not always suggest betrayal

反義詞
  • remain

    to stay instead of going away

  • support

    to continue helping someone rather than leaving them

文法句型

forsake + person/place/duty

be forsaken by + person

用法筆記

Object is often a person, relationship, place, or responsibility that someone was expected to stay with. This sense is more solemn than everyday leave, and it often appears in literary, religious, or emotional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He forsook from his sick mother.
✅He forsook his sick mother.
💡'forsake' takes a direct object without 'from'.
❌They have forsaked their oldest friends.
✅They have forsaken their oldest friends.
💡the past participle is 'forsaken', not 'forsaked'.

2. to deliberately give up a habit, pleasure, belief, or possession and live withou

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to deliberately give up a habit, pleasure, belief, or possession and live without it from then on.

例句

After surgery, Christopher forsook alcohol for three full months.

forsake + habit or substance

At twenty-five, Meera forsook city life and moved to a mountain village.

forsake + way of life

同義詞
  • renounce

    more formal and often used for beliefs, claims, or pleasures

  • give up

    the everyday choice for stopping a habit or activity

  • quit

    informal and common for habits such as smoking or drinking

反義詞
  • keep

    to continue having or doing something

  • embrace

    to accept or adopt a way of life rather than reject it

文法句型

forsake + habit/pleasure/belief

forsake + way of life

用法筆記

Object is usually an abstract or lifestyle noun such as a habit, comfort, belief, pleasure, or way of life. This sense is especially common in moral, religious, and literary writing rather than casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌She forsook from coffee after the doctor warned her.
✅She forsook coffee after the doctor warned her.
💡use a direct object, not 'from'.
❌He forsook to smoke after the baby was born.
✅He forsook smoking after the baby was born.
💡this sense takes a noun or -ing form as the object, not 'to + verb'.