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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Relevance

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

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

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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

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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

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6
as in to hold
to keep in one's mind or heart I'm not one to bear grudges

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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
The utilities warned that the high costs associated with keeping the plant open could be borne by customers. —Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026 That’s when recipients born between the 1st and 10th of the month, who began receiving benefits after May 1997, are scheduled to see their checks land. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Long a controversial issue in Florida, supporters say, in part, a hunt could help better manage bear populations as the animals interact with humans. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026 Michtom’s Teddy bear—the apostrophe soon disappeared—ignited a craze. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 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
  • Known for combining high fashion with streetwear, Bad Bunny has a reputation for adventurous and subversive style.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Judges in counties with the program have a list of OFR attorneys who can be contacted and paid through legislative appropriations, rather than through court funds.
    — Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • Former Super Bowl MVPs joined the band on stage and stood as Armstrong and his band finished up their set.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Hurzeler is probably safe for the rest of the season before a summer review of how things stand for a club with ambitions to build on reaching Europe for the first time in 2022-23 by competing regularly in the top half of the table and for their first domestic silverware.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of stand
Verb
  • They’re related, sure, but key differences exist based on the inventory and distribution.
    — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The driver and the child’s family are not related, police said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • As referee Craig Pawson revealed his fate after being sent to the monitor by the VAR, Szoboszlai offered a wry smile, then headed for the tunnel.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The Tar Heels led 22-11 heading to the second quarter.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of head
Verb
  • The launcher carries six 300 mm rockets and is operated by a small crew working from within an armored cabin designed to protect against shrapnel and small-arms fire, according to reports.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Of his goals, the strike just outside the box away to Inter carried the most threat.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.
    — JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, reported on Wednesday that both a presidential vote, in which Zelenskyy would seek re-election, and a nationwide referendum could be held by May 15.
    — Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • The study suggests that the way silk proteins organize mirrors how proteins behave in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Choose the Right Dryer Settings The settings on your dryer can also impact how your sheets behave during the cycle.
    — Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • The Fort Allen Volunteer Fire Company said that crews responding to the crash found a semi-trailer truck that was hauling produce and was fully engulfed in flames.
    — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Enter Tyrannio, a Greek specialist in literature and libraries, owner of some 30,000 scrolls and famed expert on Aristotle — in fact, the same man responsible for restoring the philosopher’s tattered library after it was hauled to Rome.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
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 14 Feb. 2026.

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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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