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forswear

[ fawr-swair ]
/ fɔrˈswɛər /
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See synonyms for: forswear / forswearing / forsworn on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), for·swore [fawr-swawr], /fɔrˈswɔr/, for·sworn [fawr-swawrn], /fɔrˈswɔrn/, for·swear·ing.
to reject or renounce under oath: to forswear an injurious habit.
to deny vehemently or under oath.
to perjure (oneself).
verb (used without object), for·swore [fawr-swawr], /fɔrˈswɔr/, for·sworn [fawr-swawrn], /fɔrˈswɔrn/, for·swear·ing.
to swear falsely; commit perjury.
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Also fore·swear .

Origin of forswear

First recorded before 900; Middle English forsweren, Old English forswerian; see origin at for-, swear

OTHER WORDS FROM forswear

for·swear·er, noun

Words nearby forswear

for starters, Forster, forsterite, Forstner bit, for sure, forswear, forsworn, Forsyth, forsythia, fort, Fortaleza
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to forswear

forgo, forsake, recant, renounce, repudiate, swear off, abjure, deny, disclaim, disown, drop, recall, reject, renege, retract, withdraw, give up, take back

How to use forswear in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for forswear

forswear
/ (fɔːˈswɛə) /
verb -swears, -swearing, -swore or -sworn
(tr) to reject or renounce with determination or as upon oath
(tr) to deny or disavow absolutely or upon oathhe forswore any knowledge of the crime
to perjure (oneself)

Derived forms of forswear

forswearer, noun

Word Origin for forswear

Old English forswearian
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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