bear down
verb
bore down; borne down also born down; bearing down; bears down
: to exert full strength and concentrated attention
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
The show acknowledges the systemic pressures bearing down on Black families—but refuses to let that define them.
—
Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Within 15 seconds of kick-off, Joe Rodon played a pass back to him with 6ft 4in (193cm) Elijah Adebayo bearing down on goal.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Relievers Hunter Harvey and John Schreiber were able to bear down and keep the score tied.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Blame bounces, or the opponents’ goalies for their saves, or the Jets for not bearing down.
—Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bear down
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Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Within 15 seconds of kick-off, Joe Rodon played a pass back to him with 6ft 4in (193cm) Elijah Adebayo bearing down on goal.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Relievers Hunter Harvey and John Schreiber were able to bear down and keep the score tied.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Blame bounces, or the opponents’ goalies for their saves, or the Jets for not bearing down.
—Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bear down
Cite this Entry
“Bear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bear%20down. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bear down
intransitive verb
: to contract the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm during childbirth
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