forfeited

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "forfeited" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to surrender, renounce, give up, or lose (usually as a result of failing to meet an obligation), and can be used in most contexts. Example sentence: After failing to make the payment on time, the borrower forfeited the collateral.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Australia has forfeited world leadership on climate policy, says Kofi Annan panel "So I am on a mission, I'm on an environmental crusade to go and motivate everyone to go in that direction".

The Guardian - Film

Blazer forfeited $1.9m when he pleaded guilty, and is due to pay more to the authorities when he is sentenced.

The Guardian - Sport

If the winner does not respond to GNM within 14 days of being notified of their win, the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above (and that winner will have to respond to notification of their win within 14 days or else they will also forfeit their prize).

The Guardian

If it had fallen short of 10%, it would have forfeited all seats.

The Guardian

Universal had slightly over one billion views struck off and Sony forfeited an almost identical number from its two sites.

The Guardian - Tech

With this disclosure the NSA forfeited respectable opinion around the world.

The Guardian - Tech

He has already forfeited $1.9m when he pleaded guilty, and is due to pay more to the authorities when he is sentenced.

The Guardian - Sport

"We know, instinctively, that anyone who raises a gun or a knife to an Australian because of who we are has utterly forfeited any right to be considered one of us.

The Guardian

By stepping down to fight the campaign the day after Gordon Brown won the Commons vote with a majority of nine, he has forfeited the prospect of being home secretary.

The Guardian

Staff only got paid because those same players willingly forfeited their own wages.

The Guardian - Sport

My golden years came about in part because I forfeited all the bullshit that came from success.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forfeited", ensure the context clearly indicates what was lost and the reason for the loss. Specify the item or right that was "forfeited" and the event or condition that caused it.

Common error

Avoid using "forfeited" when something is simply lost or misplaced. "Forfeited" implies a failure to meet an obligation or condition, leading to the loss as a consequence. Do not use "forfeited" to describe situations where something is stolen or accidentally lost.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forfeited" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'forfeit'. It indicates that an action of losing or giving up something has already occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "forfeited" is a versatile term, functioning as the past tense and past participle of "forfeit", with a grammatical status marked as correct by Ludwig AI. It's "very common" across diverse contexts, particularly in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science", indicating a wide range of applicability. When writing, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates what was lost and the reason for the loss, typically as a consequence of failing to meet a requirement or violating a rule. Be mindful of using "forfeited" only when there's a failure to comply, distinguishing it from simpler terms like "lost" or "abandoned". Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquished

Emphasizes the act of voluntarily giving something up.

surrendered

Suggests yielding something, often under pressure or compulsion.

gave up

A more informal way of saying relinquished or surrendered.

lost

A general term for no longer possessing something.

waived

Refers to voluntarily giving up a right or claim.

sacrificed

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable for a greater purpose.

forwent

Similar to forfeited but often implies a conscious decision to abstain.

defaulted on

Specifically refers to failing to meet an obligation, such as a payment.

forgone

Similar to "forfeited", implying something was given up.

been deprived of

Highlights the act of being denied something.

FAQs

How can I use "forfeited" in a sentence?

You can use "forfeited" to describe the loss of something due to a failure to comply with a rule or condition. For example, "He "forfeited" his right to the inheritance by violating the terms of the will".

What is a synonym for "forfeited"?

Synonyms for "forfeited" include "relinquished", "surrendered", "gave up", "lost", and "waived". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'forfeited of' something?

While you can say someone is "deprived of" something, the correct phrasing with "forfeited" is to say someone "forfeited" something directly. For example, "He "forfeited" his claim" is correct.

What's the difference between "forfeited" and "abandoned"?

"Forfeited" implies a loss due to a failure to meet an obligation or condition. "Abandoned", on the other hand, implies a voluntary relinquishment of something. A team might "forfeited" a game due to rule violations, while a sailor might have "abandoned" a sinking ship.