FORBEARANCE Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

forbearance

noun

fȯr-ˈber-ən(t)s

Definition of forbearance

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of forbearance Compare available hardship forbearance, deferment and other payment-relief options. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Animals have become a symbol of the nation’s forbearance during the four-year war. — Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 At a time when the United States needs its allies more than ever, forbearance is essential. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Many borrowers, especially those whose student loans are in forbearance under the SAVE plan, are receiving false notices despite official records indicating no payments have been due. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forbearance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearance

Noun

The Jets have no impetus to rush a trade — and Jets fans are well-versed in Cheveldayoff’s stubborn patience from Jacob Trouba’s 2016 contract holdout and trades involving Evander Kane, Trouba, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The flames surged like a furnace, threatening to destroy her home and testing — once again — the patience of neighbors who were used to waking up to fire truck sirens.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of patience

Noun

Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
And she has been asked to comment and speak on MANY things over the years … choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people, and shutting down any line of questioning that won’t.

— Hunter Kelly, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mercy

Noun

Robust organizational infrastructure, including flexible schedules, empathy, and clear mental health pathways, is crucial.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
That kind of collective learning is especially important in the era of AI as distinctly human skills like attention span, curiosity, judgment, empathy and collaboration become more valuable, Kavanagh and Danielson argued.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of empathy

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“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearance. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of forbearance

noun

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