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
Lee said Airbnb’s position had no bearing on his vote on Wednesday. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026 Nor does a heavy snow in January have any bearing on what the next three months might bring in terms of weather but meteorologists say there is no reason to believe this will be the last of our snow. Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The technology offers a cleaner and potentially lower-impact alternative to conventional extraction methods and can be applied to a range of lithium-bearing feedstocks, including petalite. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026 Similar to the fan-favorite Pumpkin Delights, the strawberry version contains a strawberry jam sandwiched between two soft cookies bearing that familiar smile. Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • Early in the company’s growth, Vittorini launched the Future Leaders Team, composed of middle and high school students who help guide content and ensure relevance.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • While primarily built for scientific research, its all-weather mapping of terrain, glaciers, and forests also has clear dual-use relevance for border monitoring, infrastructure management, and disaster response planning.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • However, Esposito did work at Michigan under former Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who has a strong relationship with Minter.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The couple became fan-favorites on Love Island, and followers have become very invested in seeing their relationship succeed.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that Andrew’s damaging behavior has left the monarchy vulnerable and fueled public mistrust.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The collar will help scientists understand the movement patterns and reproductive behavior of the Sierra Nevada red fox, providing key insights to guide conservation efforts.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The plant in question actually consists of 70 Jurupa oak (Quercus palmeri) stem clusters, only three feet tall, that stand together as a flowering, non-acorn producing clonal colony in the form of a thicket, 82 feet long by 26 feet wide, estimated to be at least 13,000 years old.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Additionally, Sony Pictures Television recently made a deal with Netflix for the domestic library rights to Fox medical drama Doc, whose proceeds are shared by Fox Entertainment as a co-producing partner.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Boxer Imane Khelif admitted to having the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, which is found in biological males, and undergoing hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels ahead of the 2024 Olympics in an interview with the French sports publication L'Equipe.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Angela Craig, the mother of his six children, was hospitalized on March 15, 2023, and died three days later after having a severe seizure.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Consumer credit is likewise less expensive elsewhere in the world because of greater competition, tougher regulation and long-standing norms.
    Carter Dougherty, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Other Republican lawmakers flanked the people who came up to speak at the podium, standing silently.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.
    Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Feeling withdrawn from relating?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trump and his Cabinet members are taking a tighter focus on domestic issues -- and domestic travel -- heading into the November midterm elections, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said last month.
    MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The Florida Panthers spent a few minutes prior to their home game Wednesday recognizing members of the organization who will be heading to Italy next week for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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