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
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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
Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, which was struck down by a federal court last month, have been in forbearance since July 2024 as a legal battle played out in courts.
—
Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearance
Noun
-
Equipped with sophisticated recording equipment, machine learning algorithms, and a deep well of resolve and patience, bioacousticians are finding communication patterns between animals once thought unique to humans.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
The couple’s patience paid off.—
Jody Garlock,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The economy has been devastated, and many feel trapped between a government with no mercy and a future with no clear path forward.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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But after seven episodes wearing down the viewer with a bleak perspective, in the season finale, Euphoria pulls itself out of its own somber patterns to reach for grace and mercy in Christian symbolism, American wholesomeness, and the concept of family.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Noun
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There is another way to look at apologies, Schumann and Hinshaw say — as acts of humility and empathy.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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At Beacon Mobility, employee support systems were introduced to help handle routine internal requests, enabling operational teams to focus more heavily on work requiring judgment, coordination, and empathy.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearance. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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