forgo

verb

for·​go fȯr-ˈgō How to pronounce forgo (audio)
variants or less commonly forego
forwent fȯr-ˈwent How to pronounce forgo (audio) ; forgone fȯr-ˈgȯn How to pronounce forgo (audio)
also -ˈgän
 ; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce forgo (audio)
-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ
 ; forgoes
fȯr-ˈgōz
Synonyms of forgo

transitive verb

1
: to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
… never forwent an opportunity of honest profit …—Robert Louis Stevenson
decided to forgo dessert for a few days …
2
archaic : forsake
forgoer
fȯr-ˈgō-ər How to pronounce forgo (audio)
noun

Synonyms of forgo

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Examples of forgo in a Sentence

She is planning to forgo her right to a trial and simply plead guilty. I'll forgo dessert tonight—I'm trying to lose weight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Millions of patients delay or forgo care because systems are too backed up, too expensive or too hard to navigate. — Mudit Garg, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Sometimes, that can even include forgoing payments for essentials to keep up with debt payments. — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is running again — and forgoing a reelection bid for her current office — in a campaign that would make her the city’s first Latina mayor. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 In earlier years, Washington insisted that Saudi Arabia permanently forgo enrichment. — Yoel Guzansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgo

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English forgān to pass by, forgo, from for- + gān to go

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgo was before the 12th century

Rhymes for forgo

See All Rhymes for forgo

Browse Nearby Words

forgiving
forgo
forgoer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forgo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgo. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forgo

verb
for·​go
variants also forego
fȯr-ˈgō, 
fōr-
forwent
-ˈwent
 ; forgone -ˈgȯn How to pronounce forgo (audio)
also -ˈgän
 ; forgoing -ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce forgo (audio)
: to let pass
forgo an opportunity
: go without
forgo lunch

More from Merriam-Webster on forgo

Nglish: Translation of forgo for Spanish Speakers

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