verb

forbear

for-BAIR/fɔːrˈber/

To hold back from doing something.

The man forbears from taking the pastry, holding back his reaching wrist.

An older man visibly checks his own reach toward a tempting pastry, using his other hand to hold back his reaching wrist.

Etymology

Bearing here is enduring or holding up under pressure. The compound already included controlling one's feelings and refraining in Old English, connecting endurance with holding oneself back from action.

In context

Libranima307:10

God, God is against thee, old man; forbear! tis an ill voyage! ill begun, ill continued; let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homewards

Moby Dick - Illustrated Audiobook for Focused Reading (Part 3/3)

More examples

We forbore to ask about the missing money.
Please forbear from making jokes during the ceremony.
She has forborne from criticizing the plan in public.

Forms

forbear · forbears · forbore · forborne · forbearing

forbearance noun — Patient restraint from reacting or taking action.

Similar words

refrain: A more common, less formal way to express holding back.
abstain: Often implies deliberately avoiding a substance, activity, or vote.
resist: Suggests actively fighting an urge rather than simply holding back.