Meaning

(transitive) To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
2. (intransitive) To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
3. (intransitive) To refuse; to decline; to withsay; to unheed.
4. (intransitive) To control oneself when provoked.
5. Alternative spelling of forebear.

Example Sentences

Mr. Sheriff, I desire that this manacling may be forborn: if you please to clap a guard of a hundred men upon us, I shall pay for it. This is not only a disgrace to me, but in general to all soldiers; which doth more trouble me than the loss of my life.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow the sun forbear to shine

Poor Arabs wondered why I had no mare; I forbore to puzzle them by incomprehensible talk of hardening myself, or confess I would rather walk than ride for sparing of animals:

For his part, Tharoor cannot forbear to praise the achievements of men like Arthur Cotton, whose Godavari Delta irrigation scheme remains much as he left it in 1852.

Por[tia]. I pray you tarrie, pauſe a day or two Before you hazard, for in chooſing wrong I looſe your companie ; therefore forbeare a while, /[...]

Then the king of Iſrael gathered the prophets together about foure hundred men, and ſaid vnto them, Shall I goe againſt Ramoth Gilead to battell, or ſhall I forbeare? [...]

And thou ſhalt ſpeake my words vnto them, whether they will heare or whether they will forbeare, for they are moſt rebellious.

The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear.

Word Forms

• forbears
• forbearing
• forbore
• forborne
• forborn
• forebear

Synonyms for forbear

Antonyms for forbear

Related Words

When Should You Use Forbear?

Use forbear when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions