forbearance
Americannoun
-
the act of forbearing; a refraining from something.
- Synonyms:
- abstinence
-
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
-
an abstaining from the enforcement of a right.
-
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.
noun
-
the act of forbearing
-
self-control; patience
-
law abstention from or postponement of the enforcement of a legal right, esp by a creditor allowing his debtor time to pay
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A spokesperson for the agency said it worked with Kendall to ensure he received “appropriate” forbearance relief and considers the matter resolved.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
Harabedian introduced a second bill Wednesday that would provide for mortgage forbearance statewide for homeowners whose residences are uninhabitable after a state of emergency declared by the governor or federal government.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
A legion of zombie companies—those whose revenue is insufficient to cover debt repayment and that are sustained only by forbearance from lenders—have long been a drain on Japan’s economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Most of the rest is in forbearance or deferment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
They spoke, therefore, of Mrs. Churchill’s death with mutual forbearance.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
