forsaken

IPA

Dictionary definition of forsaken

To abandon, desert, or renounce someone or something with a sense of finality and often with a feeling of betrayal or neglect.
"The soldier felt a pang of sadness as he witnessed his comrades being forsaken by their own country."

Detailed meaning of forsaken

When someone is forsaken, they are left behind or cast aside, often resulting in feelings of loneliness, despair, and abandonment. It implies a deliberate choice to sever ties or disregard any obligations or responsibilities. Whether it is a person forsaking a relationship, a community forsaking its members, or an individual forsaking their dreams, the act of forsaking carries a heavy emotional weight, suggesting a profound loss and a sense of being discarded or forgotten.

Example sentences containing forsaken

1. The abandoned house stood in the heart of the forsaken village, forgotten by time.
2. He felt forsaken by his closest friends when they turned their backs on him during his darkest hour.
3. The stray dog looked up with pleading eyes, as if begging not to be forsaken once again.
4. The old book had been forsaken for years, collecting dust on the forgotten shelf.
5. Sarah's dreams of becoming an artist were forsaken when she was forced to pursue a more practical career.
6. The once flourishing garden was now forsaken, with overgrown weeds and wilted flowers.

History and etymology of forsaken

The verb 'forsaken' has its etymological origins in Old English, where it was originally written as 'forsacan.' This Old English term can be further broken down into 'for-' and '-sacan.' The prefix 'for-' in Old English commonly meant 'completely' or 'utterly,' while '-sacan' meant 'to dispute' or 'to deny.' Over time, 'forsacan' evolved to mean 'to abandon' or 'to renounce' with a strong sense of finality and often accompanied by feelings of betrayal or neglect. This transformation in meaning reflects the gradual shift in language usage, where the combination of these elements came to represent the idea of completely and definitively turning away from someone or something, leaving them behind or betraying their trust.

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Further usage examples of forsaken

1. John's passion for music was forsaken when he succumbed to societal pressures and pursued a corporate job.
2. The orphaned child felt forsaken by the world, longing for the warmth of a loving family.
3. The dilapidated church stood as a symbol of faith forsaken by its congregation.
4. After years of neglect, the historic monument had been forsaken by the government, left to crumble and decay.
5. The convict felt forsaken by society, rejected and isolated from the rest of the world.She felt forsaken by her closest friend's betrayal.
6. The old, dilapidated house had been forsaken for years.
7. The soldier couldn't bear to be forsaken on the battlefield.
8. He had forsaken his dreams in pursuit of stability.
9. The once-thriving town was now forsaken and desolate.
10. The company had forsaken its commitment to ethics.
11. As darkness fell, they realized they were forsaken in the forest.
12. Love had forsaken him, leaving a void in his heart.
13. The abandoned dog looked forsaken on the street corner.
14. He vowed never to forsake his principles.
15. She couldn't believe he had forsaken their vows.
16. The shipwrecked survivors felt forsaken on the deserted island.
17. Forsaken by society, he found solace in solitude.
18. The ruins were a testament to a forsaken civilization.
19. Forsaken by luck, he struggled to make ends meet.
20. The neglected garden had been forsaken by its owner.
21. The once-thriving industry had been forsaken by investors.
22. He couldn't forgive himself for forsaking his family.
23. Forsaken by hope, he wandered the streets aimlessly.
24. The village had been forsaken due to a devastating plague.