bear 1 of 2

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as in to carry
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 to haul
to support and take from one place to another the rescue team came bearing much-needed food and supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to pack
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to lead
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the path will bear north after that marked tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to need
to have as a requirement the violence in that country bears watching if the world wants to avoid a serious international conflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to be
to occupy a place or location a hot, humid air mass is now bearing just south of the Gulf Coast

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as in to yield
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

Synonyms & Similar Words

bear

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bear differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bear are abide, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can abide take the place of bear?

While the synonyms abide and bear are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When might endure be a better fit than bear?

While in some cases nearly identical to bear, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to bear?

In some situations, the words stand and bear are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is suffer a more appropriate choice than bear?

The words suffer and bear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of bear?

Although the words tolerate and bear have much in common, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

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 bear
Verb
Rather than the usual scenario where one baby being born right before midnight and the other just after, Stephanie Simpson, with husband Bo, has a different story. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Almaty’s streets bear the imprint of its layered history. Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
The player with the best chance of winning a fight against a bear is probably Bryce Foster. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025 Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear
Verb
  • Ford had a challenging first half of 2025 with 88 vehicle recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to NHTSA data, which now surpasses the record set by General Motors of 77 recalls for all of 2014, the Detroit Free Press previously reported.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Ohio has 13 Costco warehouse locations.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Elanco's gleaming headquarters stands four stories tall, with floor-to-ceiling blue windows on every side and several balconies that overlook the 75-acre campus and provide an unobstructed view of the downtown skyline.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • People can also eliminate standing water around their home and install or repair screens on windows and doors.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Petrino, the man responsible for the changes, could relate.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Internet users can’t get enough of Mason’s refusal to engage with the other pups at day care, as many fellow introverts could relate.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Evan left their Paradise Valley home to head to the campsite less than an hour away, Bill Clark said.
    Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When coming to a flooded road, turn around and head back.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • James Peoples added seven carries for 59 yards, including a 33-yarder.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.
    Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While Avatar 2 will have 90% of the Imax, One Battle After Another will hold onto its Imax 70MM auditoriums.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The powder boasts a natural finish and photo-friendly formula that behaved beautifully under the cameras of both weddings.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After a summer where player power and conduct dominated the transfer window talking points, Guehi demonstrated exactly how a professional should behave.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Marc Márquez finally hauled himself back to the pinnacle of MotoGP in Japan last weekend, capping one of sport’s most arduous comeback stories with an almost flawless title charge.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Soldiers hauled them onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, along with their K Ration kits, which contained treats like coffee, cigarettes, and something closer to commercial chocolate—also made by Hershey, naturally.
    Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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