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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forbearance
Borrowers could extend the forbearance for another six months if needed, extending the life of the loan.
—
Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Notably, a bankruptcy forbearance is listed as a qualifying forbearance in the department’s court filing, but it is expressly listed as non-qualifying on the department’s PSLF Buyback website.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Among borrowers who are now required to make payments — not including those who are in deferment or forbearance or are currently enrolled in school — nearly one in four student loan borrowers are behind in their payments, the New York Fed found.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Two years ago, Heartwood's son was born with a medical condition, and to treat it, Heartwood exhausted her savings and took out money from her 401K.
During the pandemic, student loan payments were put into forbearance, but when repayments resumed last year, Heartwood said she was never notified.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Notably, a bankruptcy forbearance is listed as a qualifying forbearance in the department’s court filing, but it is expressly listed as non-qualifying on the department’s PSLF Buyback website.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Among borrowers who are now required to make payments — not including those who are in deferment or forbearance or are currently enrolled in school — nearly one in four student loan borrowers are behind in their payments, the New York Fed found.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Two years ago, Heartwood's son was born with a medical condition, and to treat it, Heartwood exhausted her savings and took out money from her 401K.
During the pandemic, student loan payments were put into forbearance, but when repayments resumed last year, Heartwood said she was never notified.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearance
Noun
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But there’s less of a livewire, look-at-us sense of attention-seeking that’s characteristic of new filmmakers desperate to make a mark, and more control, patience, and craftsmanship on display in this unsettling, semi-Gothic tale of grief solutions gone wrong.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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Which of the following best describes your urgency / patience for Detroit to get back in the postseason?—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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When sending and receiving payments, SMBs can find themselves at the mercy of exchange rates.—
Visa Contributor,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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But Cuomo and others are wrong to assume that the city is at the mercy of Capitol lawmakers.—
Paul Sonn,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The Rise Of The Digital Leader Digital leaders operate at the intersection of three essential domains: technology (leveraging AI, automation and data to drive strategy), business (aligning digital efforts with measurable outcomes) and people (leading with empathy, influence and adaptability).—
Raj Polanki,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The idea of sharing our stories connects us as a whole, evoking empathy.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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