What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sufferance
Example
The company was operating in sufferance, waiting for the necessary permits to be approved. [sufferance: noun]
Example
She endured the pain with sufferance, not wanting to show any weakness. [sufferance: noun]
forbearance
Example
His forbearance towards his children's misbehavior was admirable. [forbearance: noun]
Example
She showed forbearance in the face of criticism, choosing not to respond with anger. [forbearance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Forbearance is more commonly used than sufferance in everyday language. Forbearance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sufferance is less common and tends to be used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sufferance and forbearance?
Sufferance is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, while forbearance is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
