bear 1 of 2

Definition of bearnext
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as in to carry
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the wooden bridge will only bear one truck at a time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to haul
to support and take from one place to another the rescue team came bearing much-needed food and supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to pack
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to lead
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the path will bear north after that marked tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to need
to have as a requirement the violence in that country bears watching if the world wants to avoid a serious international conflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to be
to occupy a place or location a hot, humid air mass is now bearing just south of the Gulf Coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to yield
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

Synonyms & Similar Words

bear

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bear differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bear are abide, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can abide take the place of bear?

While the synonyms abide and bear are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When might endure be a better fit than bear?

While in some cases nearly identical to bear, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to bear?

In some situations, the words stand and bear are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is suffer a more appropriate choice than bear?

The words suffer and bear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of bear?

Although the words tolerate and bear have much in common, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bear
Verb
Willis was born in Dallas in 1951 and raised in Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 The actress, who turns 40 on July 2, partnered with Chime to celebrate the youngest millennials, born in 1996, and promote financial well-being. Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Noun
The brand includes more than 100 bears, each representing a distinct emotion or expression which are illustrated by their belly badges, including Cheer Bear, Bedtime Bear, Tenderheart Bear, Birthday Bear, Funshine Bear and Grumpy Bear. Brent Lang, Variety, 30 June 2026 Alberta Parks provided advice for bear encounters, including traveling in groups, keeping pets on leashes, carrying bear spray and securing attractants. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear
Verb
  • The sport has a big future because of you guys.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • The land at Aqueduct is ready to go, no need for demolition, no need to remove and remediate dangerous industrial waste like other sites have.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The collision killed Garcia, who was standing outside of his truck when he was struck.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Fable 5 included guardrails that prevented the AI system from assisting with a wide range of cybersecurity- and biology-related tasks.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • Unlike genetic or age related decline, this cause is entirely preventable at any age.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Some will garrison Harrenhal, where Aemond is heading, and the bulk will follow to King’s Landing, setting the cavalry on a collision course with Ormund Hightower.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Millions of Americans across the eastern half of the US are facing a prolonged stretch of dangerous and potentially record-breaking heat as Americans get set to head outdoors to celebrate the country’s 250th Independence Day.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Just assume that any animal is going to carry disease, and rabies is one of them.
    Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Those arrested for criminal conduct must be held accountable in our court system.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026
  • The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Being a pro athlete doesn’t exempt you from behaving respectfully in society.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
  • But Dumont wanted to look beyond insects to find out know how the spindle behaves in mammalian cells like ours.
    Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere, drivers encountered a very different kind of mess when a tractor-trailer hauling 40,000 pounds of extra-firm tofu crashed off a highway into a ravine in Missouri in March, The New York Times reported.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Down Pennsylvania Avenue, a man in a karate gi, disposable gloves, and dirty white sneakers was hauling a cart by means of a homemade yoke strapped across his shoulders.
    Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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