forbear

Meaning

Verb

1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
2. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
3. To refuse; to decline; to withsay; to unheed.
4. To control oneself when provoked.

Noun

Alternative spelling of forebear

Synonyms

refrain

abstain

forebear

eschew

forefather

ancestor

avoid

hold back

tolerate

endure

evade

parry

primogenitor

progenitor

desist

forgo

beware

shun

miss

obviate

originator

relent

reserve

restrain

retain

shirk

sidestep

sire

stall

stand

stand back

stay away

stepchild

stepson

stomach

skate over

contain oneself

control oneself

refrain from

stand off

bear patiently

preserve one’s purity

suffer long

contain

stay clear

abstain from

ancestress

antecedent

bear

🐻

brook

check

do

dodge

escape

fend off

forego

founder

hold

keep

keep back

keep off

lenient

Pronounced as (IPA)

/fɔːˈbɛə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: forberen

Inherited from Old English: forberan

Cognate with Old Frisian: forbera

Cognate with Middle High German: verbërn

Cognate with Cimbrian: forbèeran

Cognate with Gothic: 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌽

In summary

From Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan (“to forbear, abstain from, refrain; suffer, endure, tolerate, humor; restrain; do without”), from Proto-Germanic *fraberaną (“to hold back, endure”); equivalent to for- + bear. Cognate with Old Frisian forbera (“to forfeit”), Middle High German verbërn (“to have not; abstain; refrain from; avoid”) (Cimbrian forbèeran), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌽 (frabairan, “to endure”).