forbore

Definition

1. Verb (past tense of ):
   • To refrain from doing something: "forbore" means to hold back from taking an action, especially when one has the power or impulse to do so.
   • To exercise patience or self-control: It implies enduring a situation without reacting, often with restraint or tolerance.

Usage Examples

• (She refrained from expressing criticism.)
• (He exercised self-control by not responding.)
• (They patiently waited to eat.)

Advanced Usage

• "forbore to + verb": a formal construction meaning "refrained from doing something."

  • The judge forbore to comment on the case until all evidence was presented. (The judge refrained from making a statement.)

• "forbore from + noun/gerund": used to indicate avoidance of a specific action.

  • She forbore from any mention of the accident during the dinner. (She avoided talking about the accident.)

Variants and Related Words

• Forbear (v): the base form; to refrain or be patient.

  • We must forbear and wait for the right moment. (We must exercise patience.)

• Forbearance (n): patience, self-control, or the act of refraining.

  • His forbearance under pressure was admirable. (His patience was commendable.)

• Forbearing (adj): showing patience and restraint.

  • She is a forbearing teacher who never loses her temper. (She is patient and tolerant.)

Synonyms

• Refrained: held back from doing something.
• Abstained: chose not to do something (often in moral or dietary contexts).
• Desisted: stopped doing an action.
• Tolerated: endured without reacting.

Related Idioms

• "To bite one's tongue": to refrain from speaking, often to avoid conflict.

  • He forbore from arguing and simply bit his tongue. (He chose not to speak.)

• "To hold one's peace": to remain silent.

  • She forbore to speak, holding her peace during the heated debate. (She kept quiet.)