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
Charles Dickens3
: the quality of being forbearing : leniency
known … for her forbearance with her incorrigible husband—Willa Cather
Willa CatherExamples 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
Nearly 12% of residents in Louisiana have accounts in forbearance or with deferred payments, which is the highest rate in the country.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 16 July 2025
The Biden administration put these borrowers in a forbearance while the legal challenges played out, and stopped interest from accruing on people's debts in the meantime.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 14 July 2025
The bill also places new limits on forbearance—a temporary pause on loan payments—which states loans can’t be in forbearance for more than nine months during any 24-month period.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
In the interim, borrowers have been in interest-free forbearance, freed from making payments until at least September 2025, while their debt has been prevented from ballooning.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
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Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 16 July 2025
The Biden administration put these borrowers in a forbearance while the legal challenges played out, and stopped interest from accruing on people's debts in the meantime.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 14 July 2025
The bill also places new limits on forbearance—a temporary pause on loan payments—which states loans can’t be in forbearance for more than nine months during any 24-month period.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
In the interim, borrowers have been in interest-free forbearance, freed from making payments until at least September 2025, while their debt has been prevented from ballooning.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for forbearance
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forbearance. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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