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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

bearing

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adjective

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
Verb
Clark’s stature is one of several factors that could have a bearing on negotiations. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025 Sand may also penetrate other critical parts, like seals and bearings. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
Adjective
Altogether, the researchers looked at three rock slabs bearing footprints, most of which came from one slab discovered in 2002. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 The rapper has been on a public spiral over the past month, targeting Jews and pulling a bait-and-switch to sell t-shirts bearing a swastika on his e-store. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • What’s interesting is that some brands were featured organically in outfits worn on screen, while others were built prominently into the plot—and both forms of product placement proved lucrative when approached with careful planning and relevance.
    Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Beyond Hogg’s work for March For Our Lives — which is ideologically emblematic in itself, notwithstanding the personal connection to Hogg’s own life — many similar issue-specific organizations have also gained traction based on the origins of their uniquely Floridian DNA and relevance.
    Maximo Bratter, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The Virginia rap duo recently shared their feelings on the production duo’s breakup and the relationship between the two collectives.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
  • The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • At Bock Realty Group, trust is built in the small, consistent behaviors that often go unnoticed: celebrating wins, checking in without being asked, and showing up with steady care.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The intense exchange between Kemp, 48, and Rock, 25, took place early Tuesday (July 1) morning, with Rock allegedly calling the social media personality to seemingly address Kemp’s remarks regarding her behavior and parenting of her son with rapper Blueface, who is currently incarcerated.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Not for this year’s draft, unfortunately, but having 2026 and 2027 picks from an aging Lightning squad isn’t a bad bet at all.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • After having Dirk Nowitzki, a foreign superstar who stuck with the team for his entire career, the team was looking forward to another player following suit.
    Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The SpaceX Dragon vehicle carrying the four spacefarers selected for a mission known as Crew-10 successfully docked at the orbital outpost about 28 hours after launching from Florida.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
  • But Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra insists the ethos remains, even at times such as these, with his team carrying a seven-game losing streak and 29-38 record into Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This tiny spot has everything needed for relaxation—a pair of Adirondack chairs to lean back and reflect on the day and a tiny table for holding drinks and snacks.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Any incumbent party would have had trouble holding onto the White House.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of China coming to resemble the United States, the United States is behaving more like China.
    Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
  • In the most heightened of these interventions, the two of them, both very good at behaving badly, turn their own rage against each other.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Forty farmers supply this dairy, hauling milk here twice a day.
    Betsy Andrews, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As the largest airlifter in the American fleet, this massive aircraft plays a critical role in strategic operations—hauling troops, equipment, helicopters, and even entire military bases across continents in a single flight.
    Interesting Engineering, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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