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 Cather
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
Recent preliminary injunctions on the program issued by federal judges in Kansas and Missouri forced the Education Department to place about 3 million borrowers in forbearance, temporarily halting their bills.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024
The Biden administration has taken action to put borrowers in forbearance while the legal challenge plays out in court.
—Lexi Lonas, The Hill, 9 July 2024
Borrowers who were placed in forbearance, or a temporary pause on payments, prior to the court rulings while their servicers recalculate their monthly amount will have their first payment in August.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
Unlike the other borrowers in forbearance, though, these borrowers would have their repayment periods extended by a month, according to Natalia Abrams, president and founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbearance 
Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 10 July 2024
The Biden administration has taken action to put borrowers in forbearance while the legal challenge plays out in court.
—Lexi Lonas, The Hill, 9 July 2024
Borrowers who were placed in forbearance, or a temporary pause on payments, prior to the court rulings while their servicers recalculate their monthly amount will have their first payment in August.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
Unlike the other borrowers in forbearance, though, these borrowers would have their repayment periods extended by a month, according to Natalia Abrams, president and founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for forbearance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forbearance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near forbearance
Cite this Entry
“Forbearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forbearance. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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