forbear

[ fawr-bair ]

verb (used with object)

, for·bore [fawr-, bawr], for·borne [fawr-, bawrn], for·bear·ing.

1. to refrain or abstain from; desist from.

   Synonyms: renounce, sacrifice, forgo

2. to keep back; withhold.
3. Obsolete. to endure.

verb (used without object)

, for·bore [fawr-, bawr], for·borne [fawr-, bawrn], for·bear·ing.

1. to refrain; hold back.
2. to be patient or self-controlled when subject to annoyance or provocation.

forbear

¹

/ fɔːˈbɛə /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by from or an infinitive to cease or refrain (from doing something)
2. archaic.
   to tolerate or endure (misbehaviour, mistakes, etc)

forbear

²

/ ˈfɔːˌbɛə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of forebear

Derived Forms

• forˈbearer, noun
• forˈbearingly, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of forbear¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of forbear¹

Old English forberan ; related to Gothic frabairan to endure

Example Sentences

In the way of his forbears, Gibson uses beads sourced from all over the world, including vintage beads from Japan and China, and glass beads from the Venetian island of Murano.

From Seattle Times

I spent all four years of President Trump’s trade war living in China, and Beijing was highly forbearing toward U.S. companies for two broad reasons.

From New York Times

But for all its forbears, this spooky-ooky 1989-set romance has a thoroughly modern sensibility, and it’s about to be the new obsession of quirky teens everywhere.

From Los Angeles Times

The incredible energetic potential of tides was spotted by our medieval forbears.

From BBC

The Dutch king is among other European monarchs grappling with how to publicly atone for the abuses their forbears committed during the colonial era in Africa.

From New York Times