forbearance

noun

for·​bear·​ance fȯr-ˈber-ən(t)s 

fər-

plural forbearances

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

… a sudden formality in his manner, which showed that his forbearance was at last failing him.

—Wilkie Collins

Mrs Varden entreated her to remember that … marriage … was a state requiring great fortitude and forbearance.

—Charles Dickens

3

: the quality of being forbearing : leniency

… known … for her forbearance with her incorrigible husband.

—Willa Cather

Synonyms of forbearance

• patience

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

But millions of student loan borrowers in default risked seeing their wages garnished and tax refunds seized, as the long forbearance program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic unwinds and debt collection involving tax refunds and wages resumed. —Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026

The settlement agreement will end the SAVE plan, but would allow certain deferment and forbearance periods that are currently enjoined to count again toward student loan forgiveness. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Borrowers can often get out of a delinquency status by making a payment on their student debt or enrolling in a forbearance, Mayotte said. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025

After that earlier judgment, the Biden-era Education Department had placed borrowers enrolled in the program in an interest-free forbearance amid the ongoing legal battle. —Connor Greene, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see forbear entry 1

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forbearance

• clarence

Kids Definition

forbearance

noun

for·​bear·​ance fȯr-ˈbar-ən(t)s 

fər-, 

-ˈber-

1

: the act of forbearing

2

: the quality of being forbearing : patience

Legal Definition

forbearance

noun

for·​bear·​ance

variants also forebearance

fȯr-ˈbar-əns

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