as in weighing (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
bearing down on
2 of 2phrase
as in highlighting
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 bearing (down on)
Verb
-
The state has been pressing the federal government for a $608 million grant to cover the state taxpayer funds used to construct and operate the detention facility, but that money hasn’t materialized.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026 -
This week, the US trade representative reinforced that strategy by pressing allies to shoulder more of the supply chain burden.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some of the recent videos show the runners bumping into security guards and shoving past church staff, then leaving after being cornered and told to get off the property.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Reus scored the winner on a PK after a foul on Sam Junqua for shoving Elijah Wynder in the back on a corner kick.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In practice, this looks like development timelines compressing because approvals and feasibility checks move earlier.—
John Brearley,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Recognizing an opening, navigating unfamiliar terrain outside the tank, identifying a viable route to the ocean and then physically compressing through a drainpipe — that is not a simple reflex.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bearing (down on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing%20%28down%20on%29. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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