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

Millions of borrowers remain stuck in a forbearance as a result, unable to make progress toward student loan forgiveness under IDR plans or PSLF. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

The filing details the company's financial agreements, including a forbearance agreement with Veru, Inc., and a subscription agreement with Altos Ventures. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 10 Dec. 2024

However, many borrowers are indicating that at least some loan servicers are still not processing IDR applications at all, or are not putting borrowers into a processing forbearance that should count toward student loan forgiveness under IDR and PSLF. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Student loan borrowers who don’t qualify for a deferment may request a forbearance. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 1 Dec. 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