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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
What’s ahead next is an extremely important offseason that will have a significant bearing on whether the Hornets finally end the NBA’s longest playoff drought — closing in on 11 years next spring — and join the postseason party. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 Juxtaposed to Colman Domingo’s blustering portrayal of Joe Jackson and Jaafar Jackson’s uncanny performance as his late uncle Michael, Long has found a way to make silence load-bearing. Zeba Blay, SELF, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
In fact, the zone is expected to persist for millennia, mainly because of radioactive isotopes, such as plutonium-bearing fuel particles with a half-life of 24,000 years. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026 Instead of bearing fishing poles, most have Soviet-era heavy machine guns bolted to their bows with a small rocket launcher atop. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • The team said the approach could also be used to design catalysts for other energy storage and conversion technologies, expanding its relevance beyond lithium-sulfur systems.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Ballario’s video is unclear, explaining that Hirst’s relevance to the project, which is intended to celebrate McDonald’s 40th anniversary in Italy, is, in fact, irrelevant.
    Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at the Spanish champions, all of whom wanted to speak anonymously to protect relationships.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Investors had cheered the talks and the prospect of change at a fiercely independent company that had relied on decades-old relationships.
    Edwin Chan, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.
    Mike Schneider, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The large-scale, deterministic behavior of physical systems naturally becomes imprecise and unpredictable, dissolving the divide between the classical and quantum realms.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Bob Graf and Hader are set to produce under the latter’s Hanarply banner, with Alyssa Donovan co-producing.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 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
  • Though signs of its impending closure were all around this past weekend, the New Black Wall Street Market was having one last hurrah.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Prosecutors say Maduro and Rodriguez authorized a series of payments totaling $20 million under terms of the PDV USA contract before having a falling out with Rivera’s group by the end of 2017.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Recently, the nation of Hungary – standing at a democratic crossroads – met the moment, with record numbers of citizens turning out to elect a new leader, Péter Magyar.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Officers were seen armed and standing guard near the hotel, as flags of Pakistan waved in the distance.
    Sarah Dean, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Some of them are old systems of knowledge, ways of relating the body to fertility, death, and survival.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Timberwolves weren’t even favored to win the series heading into Game 6, let alone the game itself.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • Sánchez, 30, was heading to work after the school drop-off when she was killed in the crosswalk on Gates Ave.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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