FORFEIT Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

forfeit 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯr-fət

Definition of forfeit

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

as in to waive

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to lose

Related Words

lose
drop

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

Thursday night’s game will go down as a forfeit, the Revolution said. — David K. Li, NBC news, 18 June 2026 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

Verb

He was fined $1,150 and agreed to forfeit $160 authorities had seized to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 As well as the life sentence, Hui was also ordered to forfeit his personal assets and was stripped of all political rights, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a verdict handed down by a court in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forfeit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forfeit

Noun

After offside penalty on the Hawks on the PAT, the Warriors go for two and failed to convert on a wide receiver reverse.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Fisk and Overton use three surveys to trace how expectations of harsher penalties for failure can dampen women’s leadership ambitions.

— Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of penalty

Verb

Moody, a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, was waived by the Washington Commanders earlier this month.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
If Neal is not waived by the Saints with an injury designation he will be required to stay on the IR list the entire season and postseason.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of waive

Verb

After the launch of the iPhone in 2007 transformed the smartphone industry, BlackBerry fought hard to keep its consumer mobile division alive with new devices — but ultimately lost the battle.

— Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
How did Bi work for Bryan for any length of time without absolutely losing his mind?

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lose

Noun

If convicted, Miller could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the cyberstalking charge and two years for making false statements, along with fines of up to $250,000.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Note that penalty relief doesn’t erase the underlying taxes and only removes or reduces the extra fines and fees added to your balance.

— Jamela Adam, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Noun

The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
The suit seeks unspecified damages for claims including legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and racketeering.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of damages

Browse Nearby Words

for fair

forfeit

forfeited

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forfeit. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of forfeit

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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