bear down

verb

bore down; borne down also born down; bearing down; bears down

intransitive verb

: to exert full strength and concentrated attention
Phrases
bear down on
1
2
: to weigh heavily on : burden

Examples of bear down in a Sentence

you need to bear down on that cap a bit to get it to latch tightly
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Matthew McConaughey stars as Kevin McKay, a down-on-his-luck school bus driver who rises to the occasion as fire bears down on the community. Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 For now, however, Chris seems content to bask in the glow of this alternate universe, unaware of the enemies bearing down on him. Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 Everything is standing still, bearing down. Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Interstate 10 hummed with cars rushing north toward Phoenix, drivers pushing to get ahead of what was bearing down on them. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bear down

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bear down was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bear%20down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

bear down

verb
1
2
: to press or weigh down
3
: to make an all-out effort
4
: to weigh heavily on : burden

Medical Definition

bear down

intransitive verb
: to contract the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm during childbirth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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