to forbear

Examples

• All

• "No," said Ennis, forbearing to ask whose fault that was.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Despite his anger, he chose to forbear and not retaliate against the insults.

• And yet, sir, I cannot forbear to offer some objections against it.

  The Libertine (2004)

• Let us forbear from extreme statements.

  Academic text (2001)

• International law also requires giving the aggressor state a chance to forbear.

  Academic text (2017)

• You can forbear credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and student loans.

  Blog text (2)

• I may be a bit too good of a shot, and there may be some who try to construe that against my character, which efforts I generally choose to forbear.

  Savannah (2013)

• But I cannot forbear applauding the humanity of the Turks to these.

  Academic text (2008)

• I've been forbearing, Quinn, but if you shirk this, my forbearance ends.

  Fiction book (1999)

• I will forbear from expressing my opinion during the meeting to keep the peace.

Synonyms

H

to hold back

vsto forbear

108 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

is broader and applies to patient restraint of speech or action

R

to refrain

vsto forbear

87 4.2

Choose not to do something you want to do

is about patience and self control when resisting an impulse

F

to forgo

vsto forbear

30 6.3

Decide not to have or do something you want

involves self control and patience rather than a simple decision

F

to forswear

vsto forbear

• Formal

2 9.6

To promise to give up a belief, habit, or practice

is private restraint by patience not a public formal pledge

Antonyms

A

to act

∞ 1.0

Take action to deal with a problem or situation

I

to indulge

68 4.3

To allow yourself to enjoy something pleasant, often more than needed

How Restrained

to abstain

18 5.0

to forbear

• Formal

3 8.1

to refrain

87 4.2

to hold back

108 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology