View synonyms for forfeit

forfeit

[ fawr-fit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a fine; penalty.
an act of forfeiting; forfeiture.
something to which the right is lost, as for commission of a crime or misdeed, neglect of duty, or violation of a contract.
an article deposited in a game because of a mistake and redeemable by a fine or penalty.
forfeits, (used with a singular verb) a game in which such articles are taken from the players.

verb (used with object)

to subject to seizure as a forfeit.
to lose or become liable to lose, as in consequence of crime, fault, or breach of engagement.
Synonyms: waive, forgo, relinquish, yield, surrender, mulct

adjective

lost or subject to loss by forfeiture.

forfeit

/ ˈfɔːfɪt /

noun

something lost or given up as a penalty for a fault, mistake, etc
the act of losing or surrendering something in this manner
law something confiscated as a penalty for an offence, breach of contract, etc
sometimes plural
1. a game in which a player has to give up an object, perform a specified action, etc, if he commits a fault
2. an object so given up

verb

tr to lose or be liable to lose in consequence of a mistake, fault, etc
tr law
1. to confiscate as punishment
2. to surrender (something exacted as a penalty)

adjective

surrendered or liable to be surrendered as a penalty

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Derived Forms

ˈforfeitable, adjective
ˈforfeiter, noun

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Other Word Forms

for·feit·a·ble adjective
for·feit·er noun
non·for·feit·a·ble adjective
non·for·feit·ing adjective
re·for·feit verb (used with object)
un·for·feit·a·ble adjective
un·for·feit·ing adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of forfeit¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English forfet, from Old French (past participle of forfaire “to commit crime, to lose possession or right through a criminal act”), from Medieval Latin forīs factum “penalty,” past participle of forīs facere “to transgress,” equivalent to Latin forīs “outside, wrongly” + facere “to make, do”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of forfeit¹

C13: from Old French forfet offence, from forfaire to commit a crime, from Medieval Latin foris facere to act outside (what is lawful), from Latin foris outside + facere to do

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Writing in the Observer, Miliband warned that an anti-net zero agenda would not only risk "climate breakdown" but "forfeit the clean energy jobs of the future".

From BBC

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces forfeited their selection because of unauthorized player benefits and workplace policy violations.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s unknown if a second horse will go or if the spot will be forfeited.

From Los Angeles Times

The $40 deposit for a foursome then applies to the total admission price, or greens fee, at the course, with a cancellation forfeiting the fee.

From Los Angeles Times

A trove of cash could be forfeited if Californians fail to complete their 2021 tax returns by next month, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

From Los Angeles Times