bear 1 of 2

verb

ˈber How to pronounce bear (audio)
Definition of bearnext
1
as in to have
to bring forth from the womb luckily, she turned out to be able to bear children after all

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2
as in to stand
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't bear the thought of losing another loved one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to relate
to have a relation or connection I just found another fact that bears on this issue

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to head
to go on a specified course or in a certain direction the road bears left after the second traffic light

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
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
6
as in to hold
to keep in one's mind or heart I'm not one to bear grudges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to behave
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way she bore herself well in her first public speaking event

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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
9
as in to assume
to take to or upon oneself I bear some responsibility for the mishap

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in to pack
to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

Synonyms & Similar Words
11
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

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12
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in to contain
to have within gold-bearing ore

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14
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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15
as in to yield
to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

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bear

2 of 2

noun

ˈber How to pronounce bear (audio)
1
as in headache
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work the upcoming kitchen renovation sounds like a real bear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person you've been a real bear lately—are you having a bad week?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
This mural was born from a community’s pride, history, and power. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 James was born several months later in April 2017, with the couple sharing news of his arrival in an Easter snapshot of Chloé cuddling her baby brother. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
Visitors to the park are advised to give the wild animals plenty of space, staying at least 25 yards away from large animals like bison or elk and at least 100 yards away from predators like bears or wolves. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025 The long-term goal is ecological corridors to expand the bear population. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear
  1. have
  2. stand
  3. relate
  4. head
  5. carry
  6. hold
  7. behave
  8. haul
Verb
  • Trump will never have any tolerance for business leaders who challenge Trump’s authority.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, the court claimed Hugh Lovell had no belongings available to confiscate.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
Definition of have
Verb
  • In recent years, Iranian officials have repeatedly advocated a multipolar world and the end of the days of America standing as the sole superpower.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • Earlier in the day, a masked organizer stood at the steps of the Torch of Friendship and used a microphone to address the crowd.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
Definition of stand
Verb
  • Although Jaylin and Jalen Williams are not related, Jalen does have a brother in the NBA.
    — Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • Investigators suspected the two killings were related but ran out of leads and the cases went cold.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Late sub Uchenna Kanu headed in a corner kick in the 88th minute to bring Louisville within one.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2025
  • For more Cleveland Browns and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Definition of head
Verb
  • Israeli forces early Monday detained an aid boat bound for Gaza while carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists.
    — Bradford Betz , Yonat Friling, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
  • The 21-year-old champion was photographed carrying her trophy in a full Miu Miu outfit, pairing pieces from the brand’s spring 2024 collection with metallic sneakers from her upcoming collaboration with New Balance.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • About 20 protesters stood at the entrance wearing shirts and holding signs with Christian messaging.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
  • Qasem Hassan held her hand, which was trembling, and wrote out a prescription for her.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Successful deployment depends on robust guardrails—policies, oversight mechanisms and escalation paths that ensure agents behave in alignment with enterprise standards.
    — Alan Ranger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • There are times when adults really should behave more like children.
    — DeVonne Goode, Parents, 6 June 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • The operation is massive: participants haul wagons and horses up to Nevada from all over California and coordinate nightly rest stops in shopping centers, ranches, even neighborhoods.
    — Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Efforts to haul him in for oversight hit a brick wall.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Definition of haul

Phrases Containing bear

Browse Nearby Words

beans
bear
bearable
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Cite this Entry

“Bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bear

Nglish: Translation of bear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bear

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