bearing 1 of 3

Definition of bearingnext
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bearing

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adjective

bearing

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verb

present participle of bear
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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

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

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

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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
Other finds included lacquerware, bronze objects, slivers of bamboo bearing inscriptions, and several maps drawn on pine boards. Urnesha Bhattacherjee, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026 This spacing allows plants to grow larger with multiple seed-bearing stems. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
In fact, the zone is expected to persist for millennia, mainly because of radioactive isotopes, such as plutonium-bearing fuel particles with a half-life of 24,000 years. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026 Instead of bearing fishing poles, most have Soviet-era heavy machine guns bolted to their bows with a small rocket launcher atop. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • Granted, many of the commentators offering these predictions are employed by traditional universities, and might tend to believe more strongly in the enduring relevance of the academy.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2026
  • What began as an early 20th-century invention for flexible entertaining space in tight apartments bears as much relevance today.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • But the right’s relationship to gold predates its latest, and loudest, spokesperson.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Her and Alexander's relationship, his crimes and her brave investigative work are all unpeeled in the new docuseries, which hit Netflix on April 29.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Most of the incidents that are recorded are incidents of abusive behavior.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • This validates the author’s argument that portfolio exposure reshapes corporate behavior.
    Anis Uzzaman, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Bob Graf and Hader are set to produce under the latter’s Hanarply banner, with Alyssa Donovan co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Many that remain are adopting an array of strategies, from programming more conservatively to cost-cutting by co-producing, to hold on.
    Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Turner lore suggested the college student was expelled from the Ivy League school for having a female student in his dormitory room.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • Jaxon’s father, Albert Juarez, acknowledged having serious health problems himself and a list of prescription painkillers.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Supporters say those changes would close long-standing gaps in accountability.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • But the regime is still standing and its new leaders appear more radical and open to confrontation than the previous ones.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Some of them are old systems of knowledge, ways of relating the body to fertility, death, and survival.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The couple, who got married in 2012 and share four kids, seem interested in packing their bags and heading across the pond for a while.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 7 May 2026
  • The intersection carries a heavy mix of airport traffic, including rental cars, taxis, ride-share vehicles, hotel shuttles and workers heading to and from Miami International Airport.
    Theo Karantsalis, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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