bearing 1 of 3

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

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
Chalker had a more martial bearing than most graduate students. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 This is related to an incident that was at the Bridgeport Speedway earlier this afternoon and has no bearing on anything in Harrison Township at this time. Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 2025, players from five teams wore shirts bearing the name of an important woman in their lives, instead of their names. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026 McAlear also used the situation as further proof of a multi-energy platform strategy bearing fruit for Stellantis. Byron Hurd, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • While this issue is perhaps most notable for studios and rights holders, streamers and asset managers who handle smaller, more consistent projects can also be affected by this ongoing need for relevance.
    Ernest Sturm, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
  • For crypto boosters, MSBT’s launch was yet more confirmation of crypto’s relevance to the financial sector.
    Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Seek out relationships with those who are kind, helpful and have your back.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Warmer air holds more water, and the relationship is exponential, so small increases in temperature can yield huge jumps in rainfall intensity.
    Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her testimony about her habits, her behavior, and her anxieties was relatable to many people.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma issued a second apology Tuesday night for his behavior after the Huskies’ loss to South Carolina in the Final Four last week.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 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
  • Parents love having an easy, reusable activity for restaurants, travel days, sleepovers or quiet time at home.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Blue Owl, which is unique in having two of these nontraded private credit funds, is also among the last to report redemptions.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The bathrooms typically feature standing showers but the suite is home to a bathtub.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The season starts with 16 single contestants, and the last couple standing not only leaves the boat with a new boo, but gets a $100,000 trip around the world.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 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
  • Fans heading to Coors Field in Denver this season can expect more than baseball.
    Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Return to Earth and splashdown After the lunar flyby, the crew will spend several days heading back to Earth while continuing to conduct deep-space tests, including evaluations of power systems, thermal controls, and crew operations far beyond low Earth orbit.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 10 Apr. 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