forfeit — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   That he our deadly forfeit should release

2. A thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   He who murders pays the forfeit of his own life.

   Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal / Remit thy other forfeits.

3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day.

4. Injury; wrong; mischief.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Rare
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   a. 1789, Barry St. Leger, Siege of Nicopolis to seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit

Verb

1. To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance

   Examples

   He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate.

2. To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules

   Synonyms

   capitulatesurrenderdisqualifyforgowithgo

   Examples

   Because only nine players were present, the football team was forced to forfeit the game.

3. To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.

4. To fail to keep an obligation.

   Examples

   I will have the heart of him if he forfeit.

5. Of government officials: to legally remove property from its previous owners.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   After the raid on USPV, Plaintiffs filed claims with the FBI seeking return of their seized property. The government did not return the property in response to these claims; instead, it indicated that it was seeking to forfeit the property.

Adjective

1. Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   to tread the forfeit paradise

Adjective

1. surrendered as a penalty

   Synonyms

   confiscateforfeited

Noun

1. something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty

   Synonyms

   forfeiture

   Broader terms

   loss

2. a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something

   Synonyms

   forfeiture

   Broader terms

   penalty

   Examples

   the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time

3. the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

   Synonyms

   forfeituresacrifice

   Broader terms

   actdeedhuman actionhuman activity

Verb

1. lose (something) or lose the right to (something) by some error, offense, or crime

   Synonyms

   give upthrow overboardwaiveforgoforego

   Antonyms

   claim

   Broader terms

   abandon

   Examples

   you've forfeited your right to name your successor

   forfeited property