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

Western Alliance Bancorporation WAL -1.01%decrease; red down pointing triangle filed a lawsuit against Jefferies Financial Group JEF -0.70%decrease; red down pointing triangle after being informed that $126.4 million in forbearance payments would not be made.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

During the pandemic, for instance, borrowers with bank servicers were more likely to receive forbearance on their mortgage payments than those with nonbank servicers, Bowman said in a speech Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Also authored by Harabedian, AB 238 prohibited mortgage lenders and servicers from requiring borrowers to pay back any forbearance in a lump sum, but it otherwise did not specify repayment terms.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

“I think some people were being offered forbearance that, frankly, didn’t comply with 238 when it should have,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

I heard her with wonder: I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance; and still less could I understand or sympathise with the forbearance she expressed for her chastiser.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• fortitude
• self-control