Synonyms for forfeit
- verb
- noun
- adjective
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Forgo — to lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or…
forgo, surrender, disqualify, capitulate, withgo formal dated
2. Waive
Other
Noun
1. Forfeiture
forfeiture, penalty, loss, sacrifice, damages, fine, mulct, amercement
Other
Adjective
lost, confiscate dated
Definitions
- v. 1
To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules
Because only nine players were present, the football team was forced to forfeit the game.
- v. 2
To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance
He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate.
- n. 1
A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
- adj. 1
Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
Related words
- Word family
- forfeitable forfeiture
Example sentences
- surrender Sami was forced by the police to surrender his dog.
- forgo It's easy for rich people to forgo payment for their services.
- disqualify If you swim incorrectly the judges will disqualify you.
- capitulate Tom had no choice but to capitulate.
- waive Tom does not want to waive his right to a jury trial.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| forfeit | steady | |
| surrender | steady | |
| forgo | rising | |
| disqualify | falling | |
| capitulate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- lost1, fine1, lose1, loss1
- 5 letters
- waive1, forgo2, mulct1
- 6 letters
- withgo
- 7 letters
- penalty3, default2, damages3
- 9 letters
- sacrifice3, surrender3
- 10 letters
- relinquish3, forfeiture3, disqualify4, confiscate3, capitulate4, amercement
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (forgo2 = 2 syllables).