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Forfeit: meaning, definitions and examples

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forfeit

 

[ ˈfɔːr.fɪt ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

sports

To lose the right to do something because you have broken a rule or failed to do something that you should have done

Synonyms

cede, relinquish, surrender.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
forfeit

Used when someone has to give up something, typically as a penalty or because of a rule violation. It often has a negative connotation.

  • He had to forfeit the game because of his injury.
  • If you don't follow the rules, you might forfeit your membership.
surrender

Often used in contexts of giving up after a struggle, such as in battles, competitions, or conflicts. It may also imply a lack of choice or the end of resistance.

  • The army had to surrender after being surrounded.
  • He surrendered to his feelings and admitted he was wrong.
relinquish

Used when someone chooses to give up or let go of something voluntarily, often something valuable or important.

  • She had to relinquish her position as team leader due to personal reasons.
  • He chose to relinquish his claim to the inheritance.
cede

Commonly used in formal or legal contexts where one party is giving up rights, territory, or control, usually under some agreement or negotiation.

  • The country decided to cede the disputed territory to its neighbor.
  • He decided to cede control of the project to his colleague.

Examples of usage

  • The team was forced to forfeit the game due to a player's misconduct.
  • He had to forfeit his medal after failing a drug test.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

Something that is surrendered or subject to confiscation as a result of a legal proceeding

Synonyms

confiscation, penalty, seizure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
forfeit

Used when someone loses a right or possession because they failed to meet a condition or broke a rule. This word often appears in legal or competitive contexts.

  • If you arrive late, you may forfeit your right to participate
  • If the terms are not met, you will forfeit the deposit
confiscation

Usually used in legal and authoritative contexts when property is taken away by someone in power, like the government or a law enforcement agency. It often implies a formal action.

  • The police carried out the confiscation of illegal goods
  • His farm faced confiscation due to unpaid taxes
seizure

Used when property or assets are taken by force or by legal right, frequently by the government or law enforcement. It can have a negative connotation.

  • There was a seizure of narcotics during the raid
  • The government ordered the seizure of the assets
penalty

Used when referring to a punishment imposed for breaking a rule or law. This often appears in sports, legal, and financial contexts.

  • He received a severe penalty for speeding
  • In football, a penalty can change the outcome of the game

Examples of usage

  • The court ordered the forfeiture of the defendant's assets.
  • The property was seized as a forfeiture of the criminal's ill-gotten gains.

Translations

Translations of the word "forfeit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perder

🇮🇳 समर्पण

🇩🇪 verlieren

🇮🇩 kehilangan

🇺🇦 втратити

🇵🇱 stracić

🇯🇵 失う (ushinau)

🇫🇷 perdre

🇪🇸 perder

🇹🇷 kaybetmek

🇰🇷 잃다 (ilta)

🇸🇦 خسارة (khasara)

🇨🇿 ztratit

🇸🇰 stratiť

🇨🇳 失去 (shīqù)

🇸🇮 izgubiti

🇮🇸 missa

🇰🇿 жоғалту

🇬🇪 დაკარგვა

🇦🇿 itirmək

🇲🇽 perder

Etymology

The word 'forfeit' originated from Middle English 'forfeten', from Old French 'forfet', past participle of 'forfaire', which means 'transgress'. The concept of forfeiting has been present in various legal systems throughout history as a penalty for wrongdoing or failure to meet obligations.

See also: forfeiture.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,991, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.