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

3

: the quality of being forbearing : leniency

known … for her forbearance with her incorrigible husband

—Willa Cather

Synonyms

• long-suffering
• patience
• sufferance
• tolerance

Examples 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

As a result, more than eight millions borrowers were forced into a forbearance which halted payments, interest, and all progress toward student loan forgiveness. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Borrowers can also apply for a number of deferments or forbearances, which can pause your payments for a year or more. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

But some borrowers effectively have no choice right now given the Trump administration’s actions, and going into a deferment or forbearance is better than falling behind on your payments and going into default. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Thousands of vets suddenly had no affordable way to come out of forbearance and get current on their VA home loans. —Quil Lawrence, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see forbear entry 1

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forbearance

• clarence

Kids 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

Legal Definition

forbearance

noun

for·​bear·​ance

variants also forebearance

fȯr-ˈbar-əns

: a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due