forswear
C1-C2Formal, Literary, Legal
Definition
Meaning
To make a solemn declaration to give up or renounce something.
To reject, renounce, or turn away from something (e.g., a belief, an action) under oath or with serious commitment. In a broader sense, to strongly deny or disavow.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically, 'forswear' could also mean 'to swear falsely; to perjure oneself,' but this sense is now archaic and rarely used. The contemporary primary meaning is 'to renounce.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference in meaning between British and American English. Both use it primarily in formal or literary contexts. It may appear slightly more often in British legal or historical writing.
Connotations
Connotes a solemn, binding, often dramatic renunciation. It is stronger than 'give up' and suggests a formal oath or vow.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties; more common in formal, religious, or literary texts than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
forswear [something]forswear [doing something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “forswear oneself (archaic, meaning to perjure)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Potentially in ethical codes: 'The company forswears the use of child labour.'
Academic
Used in historical, philosophical, or theological texts discussing oaths, conversions, or ethical renunciations.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or hyperbolically: 'I've forsworn junk food this month.'
Technical
Primarily in legal contexts (e.g., citizenship renunciation, renouncing an inheritance under oath) or religious contexts (renouncing a former faith).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The knight was forced to forswear his former allegiances.
- He vowed to forswear drink for good.
American English
- The witness would not forswear his testimony.
- She publicly forswore the use of single-use plastics.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form.
- Not applicable.
American English
- No established adverbial form.
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- No established adjectival form.
- Not applicable.
American English
- No established adjectival form.
- Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I will forswear eating sweets.
- He forswore his bad habits.
- The king made his enemies forswear their rebellion.
- She decided to forswear social media for a month.
- Under the treaty, the captured soldiers were forced to forswear arms.
- Having seen the damage, he forswore the use of pesticides on his farm.
- The defector publicly forswore his loyalty to the former regime.
- The philosopher argued that one cannot simply forswear responsibility for past actions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FOR (against) + SWEAR (an oath). You make an oath AGAINST something, promising to renounce it.
Conceptual Metaphor
RENUNCIATION IS BREAKING AN OATH. COMMITMENT IS AN OATH. To forswear is to break your former oath of allegiance or practice.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'клясться' (to swear an oath). 'Forswear' is 'отрекаться под присягой/торжественно'.
- Not a direct equivalent of 'отказываться' (to refuse), which lacks the solemn, sworn element.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'swear *at* someone' (that would be 'curse').
- Confusing it with 'forewear' (incorrect spelling).
- Using it in a casual context where 'give up' or 'quit' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'forswear' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Renounce' is the most general. 'Forswear' adds the specific connotation of doing so with an oath or solemn promise. 'Abjure' is similar to 'forswear' but is even more formal and often used in legal or religious contexts, specifically for renouncing beliefs.
Historically, yes, with the archaic meaning 'to perjure oneself.' In modern usage, this is obsolete. The modern pattern is 'forswear something' or 'forswear doing something.'
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. It is mostly found in literature, historical writing, legal documents, and formal declarations. In everyday conversation, 'give up', 'quit', or 'renounce' are far more common.
There is no direct, commonly used noun form. Related concepts would be 'renunciation', 'abjuration', or 'disavowal'.