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
Mrs Varden entreated her to remember that … marriage … was a state requiring great fortitude and forbearance.—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens3
: the quality of being forbearing : leniency
known … for her forbearance with her incorrigible husband—Willa Cather
Willa CatherExamples 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
Borrowers can also apply for a number of deferments or forbearances, which can pause your payments for a year or more.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Various mortgage relief efforts for fire victims, including forbearance offers and foreclosure moratoriums, have been announced.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
Those facing financial hardship may also explore options such as income documentation updates or temporary forbearance while awaiting income recalculations.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
While Allen would warily hold forth, Roberts — tall, baritone-voiced, sometimes bearded — would listen with patient forbearance.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
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Annie Nova, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Various mortgage relief efforts for fire victims, including forbearance offers and foreclosure moratoriums, have been announced.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
Those facing financial hardship may also explore options such as income documentation updates or temporary forbearance while awaiting income recalculations.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
While Allen would warily hold forth, Roberts — tall, baritone-voiced, sometimes bearded — would listen with patient forbearance.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forbearance. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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