forbear

[ fawr-bair ]
See synonyms for: forbearforbearingforboreforbearingly on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),for·bore [fawr-bawr], /fɔrˈbɔr/, for·borne [fawr-bawrn], /fɔrˈbɔrn/, for·bear·ing.
  1. to refrain or abstain from; desist from.

  2. to keep back; withhold.

  1. Obsolete. to endure.

verb (used without object),for·bore [fawr-bawr], /fɔrˈbɔr/, for·borne [fawr-bawrn], /fɔrˈbɔrn/, for·bear·ing.
  1. to refrain; hold back.

  2. to be patient or self-controlled when subject to annoyance or provocation.

Origin of forbear

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English forberen, Old English forberan “to refrain from, abstain; spare, excuse”; see origin at for-, bear1

Other words for forbear

Other words from forbear

  • for·bear·er, noun
  • for·bear·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·for·bear·ing, adjective
  • non·for·bear·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·for·bear·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for forbear (1 of 2)

forbear1

/ (fɔːˈbɛə) /


verb-bears, -bearing, -bore or -borne
  1. (when intr, often foll by from or an infinitive) to cease or refrain (from doing something)

  2. archaic to tolerate or endure (misbehaviour, mistakes, etc)

Origin of forbear

1
Old English forberan; related to Gothic frabairan to endure

Derived forms of forbear

  • forbearer, noun
  • forbearingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for forbear (2 of 2)

forbear2

/ (ˈfɔːˌbɛə) /


noun
  1. a variant spelling of forebear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012