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
 also foregone; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce forgo (audio)
-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ
 also foregoing; forgoes
fȯr-ˈgōz
 also foregoes
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.
In another world, a different version of Jason decided to forgo that family life in pursuit of his dream, which was apparently to build a gigantic box that allowed people to travel to other parallel universes. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026 Gay, bisexual and trans people are nearly twice as likely as the rest of the population to forgo prescription medications. — Casey Parks, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 Parents are increasingly asking pediatricians to delay, space out, or altogether forgo immunizations for their children. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 The ability to forgo these tools altogether is largely a luxury. — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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