Definition of bearingnext
1
2
3

bearing

2 of 3

adjective

bearing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of bear
1
2
3
4
5
as in carrying
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the wooden bridge will only bear one truck at a time

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
9
10
as in packing
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words

11
as in leading
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the path will bear north after that marked tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

12
13
14
15
as in yielding
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun bearing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bearing are carriage, demeanor, deportment, manner, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

When is it sensible to use carriage instead of bearing?

The meanings of carriage and bearing largely overlap; however, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

When could demeanor be used to replace bearing?

The synonyms demeanor and bearing are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

When might deportment be a better fit than bearing?

While in some cases nearly identical to bearing, deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

In what contexts can manner take the place of bearing?

While the synonyms manner and bearing are close in meaning, manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

Where would mien be a reasonable alternative to bearing?

The words mien and bearing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

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 bearing
Noun
Evidence of silence quietly (sorry) breaking apart one’s bearings bleeds through both the main plot thread and satellite storylines, which include recurring visits to a client of Ninh’s and that man’s own conflicts with his distant wife. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026 The division is developing nearly everything in-house, including the bearing systems, thermal management, and magnetic flux control technologies. New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
June-bearing varieties, for example, will produce one large crop over a several-week period. Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 The ailment was first detected in Monroe County in late June and spread to 70 counties, with Southeast Michigan bearing the heaviest burden. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • The people who lose relevance will be those whose role depends on preserving friction, controlling access to information, or managing processes no one would design from scratch today.
    Stephen Messer, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Also, arthouse movies and directors breaking out around the world most often share the interest of a younger audience, making films of contemporary relevance, political and social point and authenticity.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As time passes and questions remain unanswered, the film shows how grief connects, relationships change, and new perspectives emerge.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Some restrictions on cadres are not outright bans, and many have learned to read between the lines and regulate their own behavior to avoid trouble.
    Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The warning signs can be easy to miss, because the behavior often looks like discipline.
    John Vorwald, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But for all the progress on paper, as the producing, noncreative side of Santos’ job began taking over his life, the panic attacks returned.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Chrissy Skinns will produce, with 42’s Chris Kennedy co-producing.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This, in turn, left the defence exposed, with Sheffield United having 20 attempts on goal in Wrexham’s 2-1 fightback win at Bramall Lane in mid-March.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Macron had ordered the government to expedite this bill’s passage through parliament, with the aim of having legislation in place for the beginning of the school year in September.
    Pierre P Bairin, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Semenyo had already completed a prolific season in England’s Premier League, scoring 17 league goals to take over boyhood idol Tony Yeboah’s long-standing record for most scored by a Ghanaian in a single season.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But the American Civil Liberties Union, a long-standing Flock critic, downplayed the new changes as minor.
    Kevin Collier, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Relationship science draws a useful line here between two ways of relating.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Presenting one idea, and then relating it back to something political.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Kids heading back to school can now take a little bit of Savannah Bananas style with them into the classroom.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Voters across Connecticut are heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote for key primary races including governor and House seats.
    ABC NEWS, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bearing

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster