What is the opposite of “forfeit”?

What is the antonym of “forfeit”?

The antonyms of forfeit are keep, retain, and claim. These words convey the opposite meaning of forfeit, which means to give up or lose something as a penalty or punishment.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

keep

To have or hold onto something; not give it away or lose it.

Example

I decided to keep the old book because it had sentimental value.

retain

To continue to have or hold onto something; not let it go or lose it.

Example

The company decided to retain its employees during the economic downturn.

claim

To assert or demand one's right to something; to take ownership or possession of something.

Example

He went to the lost and found to claim his lost wallet.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Keep implies holding onto something that you already have, while forfeit implies giving up something that you had.
• 2. Retain is similar to keep but emphasizes the idea of not losing something over time.
• 3. Claim implies taking ownership or possession of something that you did not previously have.

Good things to know

• 1. Legal Context: Use forfeit and its antonyms in legal contexts to describe the transfer of property or rights.
• 2. Sports and Games: Use forfeit and its antonyms in sports and games to describe the loss or retention of points or possessions.
• 3. Personal Finance: Use keep and retain in personal finance to describe saving and investing strategies.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of forfeit are keep, retain, and claim. These words convey the opposite meaning of forfeit, which means to give up or lose something as a penalty or punishment. Use these words in legal contexts, sports and games, and personal finance to describe the transfer of property or rights, the loss or retention of points or possessions, and saving and investing strategies.