as in to weigh (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
bear down on
2 of 2phrase
as in highlight
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 bear (down on)
Verb
-
Its abrasive, loud buzz is the sound of takeout arriving, dates buzzing up for the first sleepover and delivery drivers pressing a button and walking away without waiting for an answer.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026 -
To react, double-tap or long-press a message until the menu appears.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That capped a half in which Stewart and Orlando's Goga Bitadze were called for double fouls late in the first quarter, then called for double technicals while continuing to push and shove two seconds after play resumed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Squeezing their thighs into pants that are too tight to compress the cellulite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In practice, this looks like development timelines compressing because approvals and feasibility checks move earlier.—
John Brearley,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bear (down on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear%20%28down%20on%29. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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