as in to weigh (on or upon)
to push steadily against with some force
you need to bear down on that cap a bit to get it to latch tightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
bear down on
2 of 2phrase
as in highlight
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
Our manager bore down on the need to meet upcoming deadlines.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear (down on)
Verb
-
The administration has quietly directed diplomats to press allies on restricting inflows, enhancing deportation mechanisms, and ending policies perceived as favoring migrants over citizens.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026 -
And freshman cornerback Ja’Boree Antoine held his own when pressed into duty late after Lucas was ejected and OJ Frederique left in the second half with an injury.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Spurs forward Julian Champagnie immediately shoved Vanderbilt as Fox remained between the players, trying to keep them separated.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Fleury was shoved to the ice by Golden Knights winger Keegan Kolesar after sending a breakout pass and slid backward into the end boards.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The ability of the sponge to compress means that over time the rug will weigh down the edges and prevent the rug from looking like it’s raised up onto a surface.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Las Vegas has compressed a short stretch of the Strip into a luxury gauntlet that’ll wreck your step count and your credit limit in the same afternoon.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bear (down on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear%20%28down%20on%29. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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