FORBEARING Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

forbearing 1 of 2

adjective

as in patient

accepting pains or hardships calmly or without complaint she was inspired by the forbearing patients of the intensive care unit

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forbearing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of forbear

as in avoiding

to resist the temptation of she's old enough to make her own decisions, so we must forbear criticizing her taste in clothes

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of forbearing

Adjective

With the economy in the doldrums, the public is less forbearing. — Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025

Verb

Some of the most outrageous scenes are between Stacy, who likes to act out, and her forbearing therapist (Will Arnett). — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 June 2026 If Mamdani seems curiously forbearing toward Amin, given his own history, that has much to do with what happened next. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbearing

Adjective

For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Replace its electronic medical record system and improve cybersecurity, staff workflows, patient communications, and information exchange with hospitals, specialists, laboratories, and other care partners.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of patient

Verb

Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Officials annually emphasize boating safety, wearing life jackets and being aware of conditions, especially rip currents, and avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages when venturing out on the water.

— Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoiding

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forbearance

forbearing

forbears

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“Forbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of forbearing

adjective

verb

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