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

These rules aim to put patient interests ahead of profit motives.

— Alex Olgin, NPR, 3 July 2026
Success will depend less on constructing facilities than on securing long-term buyers, trusted regulators, technology transfer, and patient capital that can sustain long-term production.

— Paul Adepoju, semafor.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of patient

Adjective

The most remarkable performance in the film, however, may be that of real-life counselor Annette Deao, whose firm hand and sympathetic guidance lend Union County its stoic nature.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Vladimir Petković, the usually stoic 62-year-old coach of Algeria, said he got goosebumps from the way Lawrence has treated his team.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026

Definition of stoic

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“Forbearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbearing. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of forbearing

adjective

verb

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