forsake
Meaning: To abandon or turn away from someone or something, especially a person, cause, or way of life to which one was previously loyal.
Forsake has a literary and somewhat archaic flavour, lending it emotional weight in modern usage. Its past participle 'forsaken' is particularly common, often conveying desolation and betrayal. The word implies a breach of loyalty or duty and is frequently encountered in religious texts, poetry, and elevated prose.
Examples
- Many young professionals have forsaken rural communities in search of better opportunities in the cities. 许多年轻的专业人士抛弃了农村社区,去城市寻找更好的机会。Muchos jóvenes profesionales han abandonado las comunidades rurales en busca de mejores oportunidades en las ciudades.多くの若い専門職の人々が、都市でより良い機会を求めて地方のコミュニティを見捨てた。많은 젊은 전문직 종사자들이 도시에서 더 나은 기회를 찾아 농촌 지역 사회를 떠났다.
- The party's traditional supporters felt forsaken by a leadership that seemed increasingly out of touch. 该党的传统支持者感到被一个似乎越来越脱离现实的领导层所抛弃。Los simpatizantes tradicionales del partido se sentían abandonados por una dirección que parecía cada vez más desconectada.党の伝統的な支持者たちは、ますます世間と乖離しているように見える指導部に見捨てられたと感じていた。당의 전통적 지지자들은 점점 현실과 동떨어져 보이는 지도부에 버림받았다고 느꼈다.
- She forsook a lucrative career in the City to retrain as a secondary school teacher. 她放弃了在伦敦金融城的高薪职业,转而接受培训成为一名中学教师。Abandonó una lucrativa carrera en la City para reciclarse como profesora de secundaria.彼女はシティでの高収入のキャリアを捨て、中等学校の教師になるために再訓練を受けた。그녀는 런던 시티에서의 고수입 경력을 버리고 중등학교 교사가 되기 위해 재교육을 받았다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, journalism, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English forsacan (to renounce, refuse), from for- (completely) + sacan (to contend, deny). A Germanic word with cognates in Dutch verzaken and German versagen.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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