FORBEARING Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

forbearing 1 of 2

adjective

as in patient

accepting pains or hardships calmly or without complaint she was inspired by the forbearing patients of the intensive care unit

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forbearing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of forbear

as in avoiding

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

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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 forbearing

Adjective

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

Verb

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearing

Adjective

Star Ratings overhaul and new marketing rules CMS is executing a structural overhaul of its Star Ratings program for 2027, removing 11 administrative metrics to focus on clinical quality, health outcomes, and patient experience.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Two of Kariem’s former students described him as joyful, patient and an inspiration.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of patient

Verb

In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Preserve local input while avoiding a patchwork of regulations, ensuring communities are protected and industry provides sufficient justification and incentives.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoiding

Adjective

Terrence split almost immediately, and Julianne deposited her small son on the Missouri farm of her Uncle Claude, a stoic, kindly old man.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Aaron is maybe a little more stoic than his character is written, which then allowed Gabe [to have] this kinetic, golden retriever energy.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of stoic

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“Forbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of forbearing

adjective

verb

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