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Forbearance: meaning, definitions and examples

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forbearance

 

[ fɔːˈbɛərəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in financial context

Forbearance is a temporary postponement of loan payments agreed upon between the borrower and the lender. It allows the borrower to catch up on missed payments without facing foreclosure.

Synonyms

postponement, reprieve, respite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
forbearance

Used in a legal or financial context to refer to temporary relief or leniency in repayment.

  • The bank showed forbearance by allowing her to delay her mortgage payments for a few months.
  • His forbearance in the matter was greatly appreciated by the struggling company.
postponement

Used generally to describe delaying an event or activity to a later time or date.

  • The conference was postponed due to bad weather.
  • They announced the postponement of the concert until further notice.
reprieve

Often used in a legal context to refer to the temporary delay of a punishment, especially for someone sentenced to the death penalty. Can also be used more broadly to mean a temporary relief from any difficult situation.

  • The governor granted a last-minute reprieve to the prisoner on death row.
  • The vacation was a much-needed reprieve from her stressful job.
respite

Describes a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Often used in personal or professional contexts.

  • They took a brief respite from their arduous journey.
  • Caring for an elderly parent can be overwhelming, and a respite can help caregivers recharge.

Examples of usage

  • The bank offered forbearance to the homeowner who was struggling to make mortgage payments due to a sudden job loss.
  • During the economic crisis, many lenders provided forbearance options to help borrowers facing financial difficulties.
Context #2 | Noun

in personal relationships

Forbearance is the act of patiently enduring or tolerating a challenging situation or person without becoming angry or upset. It involves self-restraint and control over one's emotions.

Synonyms

patience, self-control, tolerance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
forbearance

Forbearance is often used in formal or legal settings to refer to someone holding back or showing restraint, especially in difficult or frustrating situations.

  • His forbearance during the lengthy trial was commendable
patience

Patience is commonly used in everyday situations when someone is dealing with delays, challenges, or problems calmly and without frustration.

  • She showed great patience while waiting for the bus
tolerance

Tolerance is often used when referring to the acceptance of differences, such as different opinions, behaviors, or cultures, usually in a social or interpersonal context.

  • Their community is known for its tolerance towards diverse cultural practices
self-control

Self-control is usually mentioned in contexts where someone is managing their impulses, emotions, or reactions, often to maintain composure or achieve a goal.

  • He demonstrated remarkable self-control by not reacting to the provocation

Examples of usage

  • Despite his rude behavior, she showed great forbearance and remained calm.
  • The teacher demonstrated forbearance towards the disruptive student, hoping to encourage better behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "forbearance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paciência

🇮🇳 धैर्य

🇩🇪 Geduld

🇮🇩 kesabaran

🇺🇦 терпіння

🇵🇱 cierpliwość

🇯🇵 忍耐 (にんたい)

🇫🇷 patience

🇪🇸 paciencia

🇹🇷 sabır

🇰🇷 인내 (innae)

🇸🇦 صبر

🇨🇿 trpělivost

🇸🇰 trpezlivosť

🇨🇳 忍耐 (rěnnài)

🇸🇮 potrpežljivost

🇮🇸 þolinmæði

🇰🇿 шыдамдылық

🇬🇪 შემწყნარებლობა (shemts'qnarebloba)

🇦🇿 səbr

🇲🇽 paciencia

Etymology

The word 'forbearance' originated from the Middle English word 'forberance', which came from the Old French 'forberance'. The prefix 'for-' means 'completely' or 'thoroughly', while 'berance' comes from the Latin 'ferre' meaning 'to bear'. Therefore, 'forbearance' essentially means 'complete bearing' or 'enduring'. The concept of forbearance has been valued across cultures and is often associated with virtues such as patience, tolerance, and self-control.

See also: bear, bearable, beard, bearer, bearers, bearing, bearish, forbear, forbearing, forebear, forebears, overbearing, unbearable, unbearably.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,892, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.