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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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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Recent Examples of forbearance
This includes in-school periods, post-graduation grace periods, default periods, bankruptcy periods, and any deferment and forbearance periods before the most recent consolidation of a borrower’s federal student loans.
—
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
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
Borrowers who switched to the SAVE repayment plan were in forbearance status for almost two years, not making payments while the politicians battled it out.
—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
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
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
Borrowers who switched to the SAVE repayment plan were in forbearance status for almost two years, not making payments while the politicians battled it out.
—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
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearance
Noun
-
On the eve of the World Cup kickoff, FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for patience in the face of a series of crises that threaten to overshadow the start of the tournament, led by the case of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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King Philip’s patience paid off in the form of a 5-4 win and a ticket to Polar Park later this week to face Milton with a state crown at stake.—
Tim Crowley,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Noun
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At the same time, the resolution calls for humane immigration policies that uphold justice and mercy, strongly rejecting nativism, discrimination and racial or ethnic hostility.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Before he was sentenced, his mother pleaded for mercy.—
Stepheny Price , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
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There are allegories that can be read about fear of the unknown breeding cruelty and exploitation, but Disclosure Day is first and foremost a propulsive yarn with thematic roots in hope, truth, empathy and perhaps even spirituality.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
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This recognition reflects a career grounded in integrity, technical knowledge and a rare ability to guide clients through complex real estate decisions with both discipline and empathy.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearance. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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