1
as in patience
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mercy
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forbearance
Under the original program, borrowers can make a one‑time lump‑sum payment to retroactively convert certain deferment or forbearance periods into qualifying PSLF payments.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, which was struck down by a federal court earlier this month, have been in forbearance since July 2024 as a legal battle played out in courts.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Irwin said families who survived the fires are nearing the end of their mortgage forbearance period.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
If eligible, the homeowner would be approved for an initial forbearance period of 180 days, which could later be extended for up to 12 months.
—Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, which was struck down by a federal court earlier this month, have been in forbearance since July 2024 as a legal battle played out in courts.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Irwin said families who survived the fires are nearing the end of their mortgage forbearance period.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
If eligible, the homeowner would be approved for an initial forbearance period of 180 days, which could later be extended for up to 12 months.
—Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearance
Noun
-
But unlike annuals that sprout and flower fast, perennials require patience and may take a year or more to bloom when grown from seed.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In some cases, however, patience could be running thin.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sturm then gave Swayman the mercy pull, which frankly could have happened after the disastrous first.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Leading only 3-0 after 3, the Owls brought up 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs, 8 with 2 outs, in the bottom fourth to activate the mercy rule.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fritz replied that the language of the letter showed empathy and remorse.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Just like a human being, movies have the power of empathy to just say, 'This is a human being.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearance. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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