bear 1 of 2

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as in to carry
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 to haul
to support and take from one place to another the rescue team came bearing much-needed food and supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to need
to have as a requirement the violence in that country bears watching if the world wants to avoid a serious international conflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to be
to occupy a place or location a hot, humid air mass is now bearing just south of the Gulf Coast

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as in to yield
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

Synonyms & Similar Words

bear

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bear differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bear are abide, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can abide take the place of bear?

While the synonyms abide and bear are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When might endure be a better fit than bear?

While in some cases nearly identical to bear, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to bear?

In some situations, the words stand and bear are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is suffer a more appropriate choice than bear?

The words suffer and bear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of bear?

Although the words tolerate and bear have much in common, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

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 bear
Verb
The ebbs and flows of the NAACP While the issue of racial equality may still be relevant, some things have changed since 1909 when the NAACP was born. Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025 The deadly floods in Texas hit close to home for Selena Gomez, who was born and raised in the Lone Star State, and spoke out about the disaster on Instagram. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 July 2025
Noun
Massachusetts and New York, each with about 4,500 and 7,000 bears respectively, see less than one home entry per 100 bears each year. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025 As the seasons changed, her mother would remind her when panthers and bears were roaming around. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear
Verb
  • Before the death at the house, Snow Angels had nearly no citations or issues with the state Department of Social Services, according to the business’ licensing file reviewed by the Union-Tribune.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • Vientos was in the lineup Friday hitting fifth against right-hander Michael Wacha, who has neutral splits against righties and lefties.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Since its founding in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has stood as a vanguard of leadership, scholarship, and public service.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 10 July 2025
  • All stood outdoors on a sunny day, next to a table with a birthday cake and a prepared slice.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Among them, 42% of reported drowning deaths were vehicle related.
    Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025
  • The death is unrelated to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, which may also be plague-related.
    Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • There was Jordan Romano, head down and hands on his knees in a pose far too familiar, and history was still unfolding behind him.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • What’s Next? For Diarra and Boissy, their immediate focus will be on delivering strong Summer League performances to build momentum heading into their G-League seasons.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • This level carries a monthly charge of €14.99 or €149 per year.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
  • By comparison, in 2020, Joe Biden carried the same age group by a much wider margin, winning 61 percent to Trump's 36 percent.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The Mariners hold a 5 1/2-game game over the Royals in the AL Wild Card standings.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
  • Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority, face united Democratic opposition − and the defection of at least two of their own members.
    Olivia Munson, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • An aside: phosphorylation is when a tiny chemical group called a phosphate is added to a protein, such as tau, which is like adding a switch to change how the protein behaves.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
  • Yet, but Buyers Are Gaining Power For Hale, the recent shifts in the U.S. housing market signals that the country is moving in favor of buyers—and under certain aspects is already behaving more like a buyer's market than a seller's one.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Just think about where your luggage has been; it gets hauled through airports, goes for a ride on a conveyor belt, rolls across dusty parking lots, is stashed into overhead bins, and is often handled by multiple people with no guarantee of clean hands.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
  • Those were frugal, pragmatic solutions; every stone that could be reused was another one that didn’t have to be quarried, cut, hauled, and placed.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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