bearing 1 of 3

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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
The Padres’ president of baseball operations, however, does not believe his contract status should have any bearing on a manager search that’s already begun. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025 But neither Shohei Ohtani nor Blake Snell pitched in either of those series, and things that happened in July don’t have much of a bearing on the proceedings in October. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
The bit saw Ripa channel Chappell Roan, while Consuelos sported a chest-bearing bodysuit in the vein of Benson Boone. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025 This has made Saudi Arabia’s annual investment confab a venue to both deploy cash globally and lure investors to the country, and officials at FII are touting that the latter effort is bearing fruit. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • The Power of Cinema Award honors an individual or organization whose actions through storytelling have advanced the significance and social relevance of film in today’s modern culture.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Earn valuable welcome bonuses with a Chase card 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, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, the program appears to rely heavily on sensationalized accounts from secondary sources with no direct knowledge or relationship with him or his family.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Several prominent business leaders have already voiced cautious optimism, seeing in Mamdani a chance to reset the relationship between City Hall and commerce.
    Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Donald’s vindication, after so much slimy behavior, felt abrupt.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The reckless attitude and behavior can intensify existing matters.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • David Midgley exec produced, with Olivia Mastrangelo and Irina Slepneva co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • For the 2025 cycle, more than 450 people applied; Hall is currently reviewing 52 finalists for seven slots across editorial, post, motion design, archival research and producing, color, timing, and sound.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fast and Free High-rise Tight 25-inch 5-pocket There’s simply no such thing as having too many pockets, as exhibited by these fan-favorite five-pocket leggings, which are currently $69.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • However, after having the scan, Bishop had the uneasy sense that something wasn’t right.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, Solomon noted that such reversals were a normal feature of long-term bull markets, noting that the investment bank’s standing advice to clients remains to stay invested and review portfolio allocation, not attempt to time markets.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The top has a standing collar with adjustable drawstrings and cute bell sleeves, while the wide-leg pants have practical pockets for travel.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The song, which is the second track on the album, makes several references and nods to some of Taylor's famous life, while also seemingly relating them to Swift.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Libra balanced scales also teach us that relating is a paradox.
    Colin Bedell, Them., 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Russian air defense systems destroyed one drone heading for Moscow, the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Warriors are still thin in the backcourt heading into Friday’s game with De’Anthony Melton (knee) and Moses Moody (calf) still sidelined.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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