Forbearance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /fȯr-ˈber-ən(t)s/ for·bear·ance

Meaning & Definition of Forbearance

Forbearance (noun)

  1. a refraining from the enforcement of something (such as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due
  2. the act of forbearing, patience
  3. the quality of being forbearing, leniency

Forbearance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining

    "we thank you for your forbearance while we attend to the technical difficulties interrupting the TV program"

    similar: long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance
    related: acquiescence, resignation, passiveness, passivity, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness, discipline, self-control, submission, submissiveness
    opposite: impatience
    near: defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

  2. kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it

    "the judge showed forbearance, and gave the teenaged first offender a suspended sentence"

    similar: charity, clemency, lenience, leniency, lenity, mercifulness, mercy, quarter
    related: humanitarianism, philanthropy, empathy, pity, sympathy, understanding, commiseration, favor, grace, benevolence, care, compassion, gentleness, goodness, goodwill, humaneness, kindliness, kindness, meekness, mildness, niceness, softness, tenderness, altruism, generosity, magnanimity, nobility, affection, devotion, love, worship
    near: hard-heartedness, mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, uncharitableness, reprisal, requital, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol, atrocity, barbarity, brutality, cruelty, sadism, savageness, savagery, truculence, viciousness, violence, wantonness, castigation, chastisement, discipline, punishment, scolding, abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, cattiness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment, bile, jaundice, rancor, hatefulness, invidiousness, coarseness, hardness, harshness, roughness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Forbearance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Forbearance:

long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance, charity, clemency, lenience, leniency, lenity, mercifulness, mercy, quarter

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Forbearance

Words with the opposite meaning of Forbearance:

impatience

Related Words for Forbearance

acquiescence, resignation, passiveness, passivity, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness, discipline, self-control, submission, submissiveness, humanitarianism, philanthropy, empathy, pity, sympathy, understanding, commiseration, favor, grace, benevolence, care, compassion, gentleness, goodness

Near Antonyms of Forbearance

defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness, hard-heartedness, mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, uncharitableness, reprisal, requital, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol, atrocity, barbarity, brutality, cruelty, sadism, savageness, savagery

Word Forms of Forbearance

Inflections: forbearances

Origin & Etymology of Forbearance

First known use: 1570

Frequently Asked Questions about Forbearance

What does "Forbearance" mean?

"Forbearance" means a refraining from the enforcement of something (such as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due. As a noun, it is defined as: a refraining from the enforcement of something (such as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Forbearance"?

Other words for "Forbearance" include long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance, charity, clemency, lenience and leniency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Forbearance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Forbearance"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Forbearance". Common alternatives include long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance, charity, clemency, lenience, leniency, lenity and mercifulness.

What is the opposite of "Forbearance"?

Antonyms of "Forbearance" include impatience. Near antonyms include defiance, contrariness, disobedience and insubordination.

How do you use "Forbearance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Forbearance" in a sentence: "we thank you for your forbearance while we attend to the technical difficulties interrupting the TV program"; "the judge showed forbearance, and gave the teenaged first offender a suspended sentence".

Is "Forbearance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Forbearance" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Forbearance"?

"Forbearance" is pronounced /fȯr-ˈber-ən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as for·bear·ance.

What is the origin of the word "Forbearance"?

First known use: 1570.