To forbear means to hold yourself back from doing something you want to do, especially when you're annoyed or angry. When your little brother is bothering you for the tenth time and you want to yell at him but you stay calm instead, you're forbearing. When a teacher forbears from interrupting a student who's struggling to explain an answer, she's giving them space to work it out.

Forbearing takes self-control. It means you notice the impulse to react (to snap back, to correct someone, to complain) but you choose restraint instead. A patient friend might forbear from pointing out every little mistake you make. A wise person forbears from saying something hurtful even when they're upset.

Someone who forbears regularly shows forbearance, which is the quality of being patient and restrained even under pressure. Forbearance isn't weakness or letting people walk all over you. It's the strength to choose your response carefully instead of reacting automatically to every annoyance or provocation.