cross to bear
noun phrase
: a problem that causes trouble or worry for someone over a long period of time
We all have our crosses to bear.
The loss was a heavy cross for her to bear.
Examples of cross to bear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At some point, higher education institutions may see that such responsibility is too heavy of a cross to bear and that their risk-mitigation strategies are essentially Band-Aids for a systemic problem.
—
Jeffrey C. Dixon, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
Making refried beans from scratch may seem like an overachiever’s cross to bear.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
Gomez’s predecessor, Cardinal Roger Mahony, long drew national attention for attacking anti-immigrant legislation during his sermons and marching alongside immigrant rights protesters, a cross to bear that Gomez never warmed up to.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
But that's his cross to bear, no religious pun intended.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Being a gentle and kind spirit, Wendt would smile wryly, like a man with an eternal cross to bear.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Alas, a bold act of kindness can be a terrible cross to bear in a culture that’s sustained by ambient cruelties.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025
That is the popular girl’s cross to bear, and the desperate obstinacy that comes with this realization is one of Cody’s main themes.
—Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
Loss and the grief that follow are typically understood as an individual’s cross to bear.
—Cody Delistraty, TIME, 1 July 2024
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Jeffrey C. Dixon, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
Making refried beans from scratch may seem like an overachiever’s cross to bear.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
Gomez’s predecessor, Cardinal Roger Mahony, long drew national attention for attacking anti-immigrant legislation during his sermons and marching alongside immigrant rights protesters, a cross to bear that Gomez never warmed up to.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
But that's his cross to bear, no religious pun intended.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Being a gentle and kind spirit, Wendt would smile wryly, like a man with an eternal cross to bear.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Alas, a bold act of kindness can be a terrible cross to bear in a culture that’s sustained by ambient cruelties.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025
That is the popular girl’s cross to bear, and the desperate obstinacy that comes with this realization is one of Cody’s main themes.
—Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
Loss and the grief that follow are typically understood as an individual’s cross to bear.
—Cody Delistraty, TIME, 1 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Cross to bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20to%20bear. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
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