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

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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
Hellerstein retorted in one exchange with the prosecutor, questioning how the Maduros’ ability to pay their lawyers had any bearing on national security. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 Scott dismissed Tuesday’s election results in Florida as having no bearing on the GOP’s midterm fate. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Our own California native coral bells (Heuchera) have been bred for deep purple, verging on black, foliage in cultivars bearing names such as Black Forest and Black Pearl. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Add edible fruit bearing trees, shrubs and vines to the landscape. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bearing
Noun
  • Size now matters less, and success will be determined by relevance to consumers and capital markets, according to the consultancy firm.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The aircraft’s modular design and open avionics architecture allow for rapid integration of new capabilities, ensuring continued relevance.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The close relationship between Lewandowski and Noem drew scrutiny.
    Nate Raymond, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • As of Saturday, police said the motive and the suspect's relationship to the victim were unknown.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Travel experts share key etiquette tips — from greetings to restaurant behavior — to help visitors blend in while exploring Paris.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Lawyers for the church argue that Morris’ agreements with the church preclude him from those benefits if he was fired or resigned because of immoral behavior.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 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
  • Videos on the Instagram page for the restaurant show a packed establishment late at night with young people having fun and drinking, with a long line outside.
    Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Azimi said having Pahlavi as the head of Iran would bring democracy back to the country and end the humanitarian crisis there.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Many people were seen standing against a barrier, taking pictures of it.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The result has been chaos in the nation’s airports and a decline in the president’s standing with the American public.
    Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 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
  • Before this, Lodi Fire was only able to provide basic life support, which included basic EMS, CPR and other life-saving measures before heading to the emergency room.
    Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Howell initially drove north on the parkway’s northbound lanes before reversing course and heading in the wrong direction, causing the crash, according to reports.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bearing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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