forfeit 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
Definition of forfeitnext
as in penalty
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000

Synonyms & Similar Words

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forfeit

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to waive

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to lose

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of forfeit
Noun
Superintendent Brian Blake and Principal Jonathan Mitchell issued a joint two-page statement Friday disputing the parents' version of events that led to the forfeit. — Mike Toole, CBS News, 12 June 2026 Abandonment would lead to an automatic forfeit, a 3-0 loss. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
The counsel pointed to a previous case litigated by IJ in which the Indiana Supreme Court found the state’s attempt to forfeit a man’s $40,000 Land Rover over a low-level drug offense was unconstitutionally excessive. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 Owners of an Elk Grove nightclub where two men were killed in a shooting last year must pay more than $53,000 in unpaid rent this week or forfeit their lease, according to a notice posted outside the business. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for forfeit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfeit
  1. penalty
  2. waive
  3. lose
  4. fine
  5. damages
  6. forfeiture
Noun
  • Crystal Palace beat 2025 champions Liverpool on penalties in last season’s showpiece, before Liverpool endured a disappointing title defence.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Tanaka scored on a penalty shot in the 79th minute to give Utah the win.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of penalty
Verb
  • In contrast, colleges that husbanded big endowments from wealthy alumni could rely on income from these assets to finance much of their college operations; tuition has been less important and can be waived for high-achieving prospective students.
    — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • To make room on the Panthers’ 91-man training camp roster for Trask’s addition, the Panthers waived two other players.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of waive
Verb
  • For Margarita Wray, the possibility of losing her son has turned the criminal case into an intensely personal fight for justice.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Shakira Austin had 29 points and eight rebounds and Sonia Citron added 17 points and eight assists for Washington (19-14), which has lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of lose
Noun
  • Now, the state attorney general says the city must pay a fine or face a lawsuit for violating a state law protecting Confederate monuments and other longstanding memorials.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Voting is optional in New Zealand but enrollment for those eligible and living in the country is compulsory, with failure to do so punishable by a fine of 100 New Zealand dollars ($59).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fine
Noun
  • The family is seeking general damages, special and economic damages, and wrongful damages.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Over the weekend, Tehran submitted its own set of new demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which included complete compensation for damages wrought by the president’s bombing campaigns.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of damages
Noun
  • Andreano said that creates a profit motive for forfeiture cases.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But a federal forfeiture notice says the seizure is tied to a money laundering statute.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of forfeiture

Browse Nearby Words

for fair
forfeit
forfeited
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Cite this Entry

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfeit. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forfeit

Nglish: Translation of forfeit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forfeit

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