forswear

[ fawr-swair ]
See synonyms for: forswearforswearingforsworn on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),for·swore [fawr-swawr], /fɔrˈswɔr/, for·sworn [fawr-swawrn], /fɔrˈswɔrn/, for·swear·ing.
  1. to reject or renounce under oath: to forswear an injurious habit.

  2. to deny vehemently or under oath.

  1. to perjure (oneself).

verb (used without object),for·swore [fawr-swawr], /fɔrˈswɔr/, for·sworn [fawr-swawrn], /fɔrˈswɔrn/, for·swear·ing.
  1. to swear falsely; commit perjury.

Origin of forswear

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English forsweren, Old English forswerian; see origin at for-, swear
  • Also fore·swear .

Other words for forswear

Other words from forswear

  • for·swear·er, noun

Words Nearby forswear

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use forswear in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for forswear

forswear

/ (fɔːˈswɛə) /


verb-swears, -swearing, -swore or -sworn
  1. (tr) to reject or renounce with determination or as upon oath

  2. (tr) to deny or disavow absolutely or upon oath: he forswore any knowledge of the crime

  1. to perjure (oneself)

Origin of forswear

1
Old English forswearian

Derived forms of forswear

  • forswearer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012