bearing 1 of 3

Definition of bearingnext
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bearing

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adjective

bearing

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verb

present participle of bear
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as in carrying
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 packing
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun bearing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bearing are carriage, demeanor, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of bearing?

The meanings of carriage and bearing largely overlap; however, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When could demeanor be used to replace bearing?

The synonyms demeanor and bearing are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When might deportment be a better fit than bearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to bearing, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

In what contexts can manner take the place of bearing?

While the synonyms manner and bearing are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to bearing?

The words mien and bearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 bearing
Noun
In a statement texted to the Star-Telegram before the phone call, Parker’s spokesperson said the mayor stressed that neither her husband’s firm nor his profession has any bearing on her decisions regarding matters before the City Council. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026 His consistency has the biggest bearing on whether the Blues are a playoff team or not. Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 18 June 2026
Verb
Protesters carried signs bearing the names and photographs of environmentalists who disappeared. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026 This is the power of bearing witness. Rabbi Evan Susman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 24 June 2026
  • Its relevance was just too important to go amiss.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 7th House of Partnership, bringing old agreements, recurring relationship patterns, client conversations, or one-to-one expectations into review.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
  • Chan says the trend probably isn't for daters who have a problem overworking in their relationships.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • As the race progressed, Schlossberg received heavy media scrutiny by The New York Times with reports of high turnover inside his campaign and allegations of erratic behavior.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • In other words, sourcing behaviors are not so much changing as shifting geographically.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • McClelland and Simon Gillis serve as co-executive producers, with Angela Littlejohn producing and Libby Sharpe co-producing.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • Alex Young of Hidden Pictures will also exec produce, with Honey Trap’s Kaylee McGregor co-producing, and Chelsea Kujawa and Maria Ascanio overseeing the film for Lionsgate.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Despite appearing in just 13 games this season due to injury and having a negative wins above replacement value, per Baseball Reference, Kirk received 1,488,788 votes and second place among AL catchers.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
  • With the games now having the kind of stakes that Thursday’s contest lacked, that leaky defense – especially in crunch time toward the end of matches – is the possible Achilles heel for this team.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Trees that remain standing lose their leaves and big limbs, and that trauma shows in their rings.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Projected on several screens was a picture of Kohen in gingham overalls, standing next to Bluey.
    Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • So, remember, by finding weeds, noting their location, relating them to a condition, and choosing corrective actions based on that condition, gardeners can begin to form maintenance diagnoses for their gardens through weeds.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
  • The young players seem to like how Harbaugh is teaching and relating, too.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Park-goers and those heading to CityWalk were directed to the new security checkpoints.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • The trail begins by heading southeast.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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