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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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
He's known for his dapper and debonair bearing, his free-wheeling pansexuality, and because he's played by Berry, his hilarious voice. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 The revving sound could be a faulty bearing in the alternator, or an extremely loose alternator belt. Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
Transit development districts near South Shore Line stations are bearing fruit, TDD steering committee members reported. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026 That has prompted officials in Dallas and across the country to reconsider public honors bearing his name. Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • How much money could Charlotte bring to the table for roster construction, staff salaries, operating expenses, and anything and everything that could rejuvenate the 49ers’ program and kickstart its return to relevance?
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Yet the stumbles under Davis that would’ve qualified as successes elsewhere struck at the core identity of a program with national brand-name relevance and ties to some of the sport’s biggest names like Smith, Williams, James Worthy, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter.
    Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Expanding your perception can benefit your relationships today.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • He was picked up in Tontitown, Arkansas, where the family lives, and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior for molestation of a victim under age 12, and another count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The academic research will focus on college student gambling behaviors ranging from card games to proposition betting and prediction markets.
    MICHAEL GOLDBERG Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Juliet Kirby is also co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 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
  • Videos on the Instagram page for the restaurant show a packed establishment late at night with young people having fun and drinking, with a long line outside.
    Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Azimi said having Pahlavi as the head of Iran would bring democracy back to the country and end the humanitarian crisis there.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Images of suffering in Gaza have pushed concern for Palestinian civilians to the forefront, while also straining long-standing pro-Israel consensus within the party.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Manchester City This must feel like being between a rock and a hard place for Manchester United fans given their long-standing rivalries with both clubs.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
  • In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.
    Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Before this, Lodi Fire was only able to provide basic life support, which included basic EMS, CPR and other life-saving measures before heading to the emergency room.
    Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Howell initially drove north on the parkway’s northbound lanes before reversing course and heading in the wrong direction, causing the crash, according to reports.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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