Synonyms of forbear

forbear

verb

fȯr-ˈber 

as in to avoid

to resist the temptation of

she's old enough to make her own decisions, so we must forbear criticizing her taste in clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• avoid
• keep (from)
• refrain (from)
• forgo
• deny
• withhold (from)
• abstain (from)
• abjure
• refuse
• shun
• eschew
• constrain
• curb
• check
• inhibit
• repudiate
• reject
• combat
• fight
• buck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• bow (to)
• give in (to)
• succumb (to)
• capitulate
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• knuckle under (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of forbear

Some of the most outrageous scenes are between Stacy, who likes to act out, and her forbearing therapist (Will Arnett). — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 June 2026

If Mamdani seems curiously forbearing toward Amin, given his own history, that has much to do with what happened next. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

With the economy in the doldrums, the public is less forbearing. — Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025

The book ends with a monologue from Bobby’s preternaturally wise and forbearing wife, Triona, who is puzzling over a dramatic plot development in the last chapter. — Ann Levin, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025

The Commission has never reversed a decision to forbear in this situation. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 8 Apr. 2024

Tuesday’s proposal makes the same commitment, the people said, forbearing from 26 provisions of Title II and more than 700 other agency rules that could be seen as intrusive. — Brian Fung, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023