Forbear-Forebear | Commonly Confused Words
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Forbear vs. Forebear

Forbear

/fɔːˈbɛː/
To hold oneself back from doing something; to refrain or resist.

Examples:

He decided to forbear from commenting on her mistake.She had to forbear her laughter during the solemn ceremony.I must forbear any more desserts if I want to stay healthy.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Forebear

/ˈfɔːbeə/
A person from whom one is descended, especially a distant ancestor

Examples:

She discovered her great-grandfather was a famous forebear.Ancient artifacts connected us to our distant forebears.Her forebears played a pivotal role in the town's history.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Forbear means to hold back or be patient, while forebear refers to an ancestor.
  • Forbear has one e, but forebear has two es, reflecting the idea of multiple ancestors.
  • Think of the bear in forebear as bearing children through generations but the bear in forbear as an animal getting something done with patience.
  • Forbear sounds like forbearance, which is related to patience.
  • Forebear could be remembered as before bear – those who came before you.
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