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:
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.