forbearance

American  

[fawr-bair-uhns] / fɔrˈbɛər əns /

noun

1. the act of forbearing; a refraining from something.

   Synonyms:

   abstinence

2. forbearing conduct or quality; patient endurance; self-control.

   Their teacher exhibited great forbearance when the children started acting up in class.

   Synonyms:

   indulgence , sufferance , toleration , tolerance

3. an abstaining from the enforcement of a right.

4. Finance.  a form of repayment relief granted by a lender that temporarily postpones payments due from a borrower, while interest on the loan typically continues to accrue.

   When he had difficulty making his monthly mortgage payments, the bank granted a forbearance, so he avoided foreclosure on his home.

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forbearance British  

/ fɔːˈbɛərəns /

noun

1. the act of forbearing

2. self-control; patience

3. law abstention from or postponement of the enforcement of a legal right, esp by a creditor allowing his debtor time to pay

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Usage

What does forbearance mean in mortgages? Forbearance is a form of repayment relief granted by a lender that temporarily postpones payments due from a borrower, while interest on the loan typically continues to accrue. The terms of forbearance are negotiated between the borrower and the lender.For example, if an individual has difficulty making monthly mortgage payments, a forbearance agreement from the bank can avoid foreclosure on the person’s home.

Other Word Forms

• nonforbearance noun

Etymology

Origin of forbearance

First recorded in 1570–80; forbear + -ance

Example Sentences

For Rhaenys this episode is a culmination of an arc defined by loyalty, stoic grace and power, but also forbearance.

From Salon

And it credits borrowers for months they spent in deferment or in lengthy periods of forbearance.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, the Education Department argues that many borrowers who were having trouble making payments were steered into forbearance, which increased their debt, rather than income-based plans that could ultimately reduce their burden.

From Los Angeles Times

Christ is reputed to have said: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

From Salon

Instead he is an observer, attending to Tokyo and to the people in it with a tenderness and forbearance that, if you’re not paying attention, you’ll ascribe to a simple nature.

From New York Times

Related Words

• fortitude
• self-control