1 forbearance | Definition of forbearance

forbearance

noun
for·​bear·​ance | \ fȯr-ˈber-É™n(t)s How to pronounce forbearance (audio) , fÉ™r-\

Definition of forbearance

1 : a refraining from the enforcement of something (such as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due The policy provides a means of forbearance for borrowers meeting certain criteria.
2 : the act of forbearing : patience He appreciated his wife's forbearances.
3 : the quality of being forbearing : leniency known … for her forbearance with her incorrigible husband— Willa Cather

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Synonyms & Antonyms for forbearance

Synonyms

long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance

Antonyms

impatience

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Examples of forbearance in a Sentence

He showed great forbearance in his dealings with them. we thank you for your forbearance while we attend to the technical difficulties interrupting the TV program

Recent Examples on the Web

Because the enrollment process can be time-consuming for servicers, advocates say, companies take the easier route of forbearance. The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Court rules student loan companies are subject to state consumer laws, contrary to Trump administration’s stance," 29 June 2019 As before, what may look like free-for-alls can actually be governed by a sort of forbearance. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Cruising in the Age of Consent," 19 June 2019 Mortgage servicers offer forbearance to bridge the gap. James Freeman, WSJ, "The 380,000," 8 Jan. 2019 As every company in the world has learned, investor forbearance has a shelf life, and Strava’s inches closer every day. Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, "The Coach That Meets You in Your Inbox," 24 June 2019 This, too, seemed Trump-y: forbearance, in the name of lucre. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, "Inside the Cultish Dreamworld of Augusta National," 14 June 2019 Thus, a modest proposal that is imperfect but may be the only practical way forward: Democrats should publicly time-limit their forbearance. E.j. Dionne Jr., The Mercury News, "Dionne: Give Trump an ultimatum: Respond or be impeached," 10 June 2019 In their book How Democracies Die, Harvard political scientists Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky identify two core norms that keep democratic systems alive: Mutual toleration and forbearance. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "New Jersey Democrats have a new gerrymandering plan. It is indefensible — and national Democrats need to stop it.," 14 Dec. 2018 Based on the number of students turning to forbearance, auditors suggested that number is sure to rise. New York Times, "Colleges Hire Consultants to Help Manipulate Student Loan Default Rates," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forbearance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of forbearance

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for forbearance

see forbear entry 1

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More Definitions for forbearance

forbearance

noun

English Language Learners Definition of forbearance

formal : the quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difficult person or situation without becoming angry

forbearance

noun
for·​bear·​ance
variants: also forebearance \ fȯr-​ˈbar-​É™ns \

Legal Definition of forbearance

: a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due

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More from Merriam-Webster on forbearance

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for forbearance

Spanish Central: Translation of forbearance

Nglish: Translation of forbearance for Spanish Speakers