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View synonyms for forswear

forswear

[ fawr-swair ]

verb (used with object)

, for·swore [fawr-, swawr], for·sworn [fawr-, swawrn], for·swear·ing.
  1. to reject or renounce under oath:

    to forswear an injurious habit.

    Synonyms: abandon, forsake, forgo, relinquish, abjure

  2. to deny vehemently or under oath.
  3. to perjure (oneself ).


verb (used without object)

, for·swore [fawr-, swawr], for·sworn [fawr-, swawrn], for·swear·ing.
  1. to swear falsely; commit perjury.

forswear

/ fɔːˈswɛə /

verb

  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

  3. to perjure (oneself)
“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


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Derived Forms

  • forˈswearer, noun
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Other Words From

  • for·swear·er noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of forswear1

First recorded before 900; Middle English forsweren, Old English forswerian; for-, swear
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Word History and Origins

Origin of forswear1

Old English forswearian
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Example Sentences

It’s never been true before in human history that the most powerful weapon available to our species was widely forsworn.

From Vox

The pact bound partner nations to use space only for peaceful purposes, to forswear claims of sovereignty over any region beyond Earth, to lend aid to astronauts in distress, and more.

From Time

You do not forswear studying by electric light because Lincoln relied on his fireplace.

A veritable Judas, preparing to forswear his people and their cause, willing to lie and deny his participation.

They made up their minds to forswear the love of women with all its humiliations and disappointments and futilities.

Fortune had been kind to him and he had passed so many competitors on the way that he could forswear jealousy and be generous.

Well, I go; an he should not take it, Firk swears to forswear him.

We'll trip it tightly, And make my sad young mistress merry again, Or I'll forswear the cellar.

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for sureforsworn