forswear
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //fɔːrˈswɛr//
KK: /fɔrˈswɛr/
intransitive verb
Definition
To make a false promise or declaration, especially in a legal context.
Example
He decided to forswear his previous statements in court.
Tense Forms
Past: forswore
Past Participle: forsworn
Conversation
Did you hear about the guy who forswear his testimony in court?
Yeah, that’s a serious accusation!
I can't believe someone would go that far to lie.
It's crazy; lying under oath can really ruin lives.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
renounce
abjure
retract
Antonyms
affirm
assert
confirm
transitive verb
Definition
To formally give up or reject something, especially under oath or with a serious promise.
Example
He decided to forswear his previous claims in order to start fresh.
Tense Forms
Past: forswore
Past Participle: forsworn
Conversation
I heard he had to forswear all his previous claims in court.
Really? That sounds serious!
Yeah, it's like he had to completely deny everything he said before.
Root Explanation
Forswear → It is formed from "for-" (meaning away or against) and "swear" (from Old English "sweoran", meaning to take an oath). The word means to take an oath against something or to renounce a previous commitment.
Memory Tip
Think of 'swearing' an oath but doing it 'against' something ('for-'), which helps you remember that to forswear means to renounce or reject an oath.
Visually Confused Words
foresweat
reswear
forwean
forward
forecar
forearm
forbear