forbear

verb

fȯr-ˈber How to pronounce forbear (audio)
Definition of forbearnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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 forbear Another potential problem for Carr is that Congress’s 2004 law change said the FCC cannot forbear from applying telecom regulations to TV station owners that exceed the 39 percent limit. — ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forbear
avoid
Verb
  • Meanwhile, a company has developed surf booties that claim to be barb-resistant — though swimmers are urged to still tread lightly to avoid trampling the rays.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • State police urge people to avoid the area until it's deemed safe.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoid

Browse Nearby Words

forbade
forbear
forbearance
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Cite this Entry

“Forbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forbear. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forbear

Nglish: Translation of forbear for Spanish Speakers

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