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

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

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
Vegas, of course, doesn’t do sentiment and what the Huskies have done before has little to no bearing on what they are predicted to do now. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026 The housing legislation is designed to boost supply and would not have any bearing on mortgage rates. Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inspired by an early draft of the script, childhood versions of Biff and Happy are played by younger actors (Joaquin Consuelos and Jake Termine, respectively), and young Biff most often crops up in a midriff-bearing football jersey out of an Abercrombie catalogue. Naveen Kumar, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026 In addition, an online sale running from May 8 through May 22 will feature works by artists including Richard Artschwager, John Baldessari, Dan Flavin, and Andy Warhol, bearing prices as high as $35,000 and as low as $800. News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • While this issue is perhaps most notable for studios and rights holders, streamers and asset managers who handle smaller, more consistent projects can also be affected by this ongoing need for relevance.
    Ernest Sturm, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
  • For crypto boosters, MSBT’s launch was yet more confirmation of crypto’s relevance to the financial sector.
    Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But their relationship didn’t last, and the movie studios moved on, lured away by new incentives in other states.
    Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The two welcomed their son Malcolm Hiệp five months later, but were still in the early stages of their relationship.
    Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her testimony about her habits, her behavior, and her anxieties was relatable to many people.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma issued a second apology Tuesday night for his behavior after the Huskies’ loss to South Carolina in the Final Four last week.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Juliet Kirby is also co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Many that remain are adopting an array of strategies, from programming more conservatively to cost-cutting by co-producing, to hold on.
    Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to having those 14 months taken off his overall sentence, Combs is also likely eligible for a reduction in his sentence under the First Step Act and by participating in a drug rehabilitation program.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • In short, having patrons pump their own gas allowed gas stations to remain competitive.
    Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This imbalance is one of the main hurdles still standing.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Preliminary investigation indicated that an unknown offender pulled out a gun and shot into a crowd of people who were standing outside, hitting three of them.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
  • In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.
    Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Let’s start by heading to the classroom for just a minute.
    Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Those newcomers, along with a few returning backups in Connor Meadows, Camp Lott and Owen Spell, give the Knights their core group heading into the 2026 season.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

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