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

Her only other debt is an outstanding student loan balance of about $10,000, currently in forbearance, so payments are paused. —Mike Winters,lauren Shamo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, millions of borrowers are in forbearance for at least another six months after court challenges halted Biden’s signature student loan repayment plan known as Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Borrowers can continue to make payments under ICR and PAYE (while SAVE borrowers remain in a forbearance). —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

One thing to note: Interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. —Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see forbear entry 1

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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