as in to avoid
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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Recent Examples of forbear
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
With the economy in the doldrums, the public is less forbearing.
—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
The book ends with a monologue from Bobby’s preternaturally wise and forbearing wife, Triona, who is puzzling over a dramatic plot development in the last chapter.
—
Ann Levin,
Boston Herald,
22 May 2025
The Commission has never reversed a decision to forbear in this situation.
—
Jon Brodkin,
Ars Technica,
8 Apr. 2024
Tuesday’s proposal makes the same commitment, the people said, forbearing from 26 provisions of Title II and more than 700 other agency rules that could be seen as intrusive.
—
Brian Fung,
CNN,
26 Sep. 2023
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
With the economy in the doldrums, the public is less forbearing.
—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
The book ends with a monologue from Bobby’s preternaturally wise and forbearing wife, Triona, who is puzzling over a dramatic plot development in the last chapter.
—
Ann Levin,
Boston Herald,
22 May 2025
The Commission has never reversed a decision to forbear in this situation.
—
Jon Brodkin,
Ars Technica,
8 Apr. 2024
Tuesday’s proposal makes the same commitment, the people said, forbearing from 26 provisions of Title II and more than 700 other agency rules that could be seen as intrusive.
—
Brian Fung,
CNN,
26 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbear
avoid
Verb
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Other methods to reduce the harm from sweltering temperatures include more breaks and flexible shifts so workers can avoid the midday sun, according to the WHO.
-
While the morning may feel personal — especially if someone questions your judgment, appearance or direction — avoid treating their feedback (or silence) as rejection.
Cite this Entry
“Forbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbear. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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