BEARS Synonyms: 418 Similar and Opposite Words

bears 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bear

as in has

to bring forth from the womb luckily, she turned out to be able to bear children after all

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as in stands

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

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as in pertains

to have a relation or connection I just found another fact that bears on this issue

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as in heads

to go on a specified course or in a certain direction the road bears left after the second traffic light

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as in carries

to hold up or serve as a foundation for the wooden bridge will only bear one truck at a time

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as in holds

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

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as in behaves

to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way she bore herself well in her first public speaking event

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as in hauls

to support and take from one place to another the rescue team came bearing much-needed food and supplies

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as in shoulders

to take to or upon oneself I bear some responsibility for the mishap

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as in packs

to wear or have on one's person the right to bear arms

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as in leads

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 requires

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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as in contains

to have within gold-bearing ore

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as in is

to occupy a place or location a hot, humid air mass is now bearing just south of the Gulf Coast

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as in yields

to produce as revenue an interest-bearing savings account

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bears

2 of 2

noun

plural of bear

as in headaches

a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work the upcoming kitchen renovation sounds like a real bear

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as in crabs

an irritable and complaining person you've been a real bear lately—are you having a bad week?

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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 bears

Verb

On a recent afternoon, the lanky, mustachioed Zucker, wearing a T-shirt, ballcap and small hoop earrings, bears little resemblance to his comic alter ego who sports a tattered suit with gag props stuffed in every pocket. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 His surname bears the history of the attempts to assimilate Native peoples into American ways of life. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026 Sinaloa has been engulfed for nearly two years in a bloody conflict between rival factions of the cartel that bears the state’s name. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 For many skywatchers, the difference between 96% and 100% will be surprisingly subtle — the complete opposite to a total solar eclipse, where a 99% eclipse bears no resemblance whatsoever to totality. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi was born in September 2021 and bears her late great-grandmother’s name, Elizabeth. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026 Standing at just over eight inches, the curiously contemporary-looking object bears the reign mark of the Qianlong Emperor. — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Even though the channel bears his name, Mayer is prudent about programming an appropriate amount of his own music, usually three or four times an hour. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 But the personality and character of M bears zero resemblance to the person of Natalie Portman. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

Florida set the kill quota at 172 bears in 2025, but hunters bagged just 52, as many who won a permit didn’t use it. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Tyler Christensen, who recorded a video of the bears stuck inside the tank, described the animals. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Footage captured by Tyler Christensen shows the bears inside the tank. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Rescues helped a family of bears escape a water tank in La Verne in Southern California, firefighters said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 This strange girl who wanders around alone in the middle of nowhere and then enters a house that belongs to gentle bears. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 This isn’t like, say, opening a cabinet or swiping a bag of gummy bears from a table. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 Elk and deer are spotted around the lodge, while moose, bears, wolves, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep are out in the surrounding area. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Travis Sauder told The Colorado Springs Gazette that bears are more than capable of getting themselves into vehicles — getting back out can be the problem. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bears

Verb

The retailer’s massive shoe collection has tons of trip-ready styles, including water-resistant mules, best-selling sneakers, and flats designed for on-the-go wear.

— Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
The Dune star has five older half siblings from her father’s previous relationship.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of has

Verb

Woods has been in the top spot on the earnings list for 26 years, since February 2000, and stands at $120,199,166.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sosa connected just two batters after Wade Meckler reached deep into the right field stands to rob Bryson Stott of a three-run homer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of stands

Verb

After receiving final instructions from judge William Sullivan, the case heads to deliberations as jurors are tasked with deciding Clancy's fate.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The Ferrari heads to auction as the latest supercar with its value potentially boosted by a former famous owner.

— Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of heads

Verb

Out back, a single monoshock is mounted to the massive single-sided swingarm that carries the solo rear wheel shod in a wiiiide 305/30R20 Kenda meat.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Brooks ran for 106 yards on 27 carries last season while contributing primarily on special teams.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of carries

Verb

Two more advisers, each of whom holds the president’s trust, are also leaving the White House within weeks.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Even if El Niño’s temperature swings stayed exactly the same magnitude, its floods and droughts would still get worse in a warmer world because the hotter atmosphere holds more water vapor.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

And just a few miles away, the popular Mount Washington Cog Railway hauls visitors to the summit of the property’s namesake, and the highest peak in the Northeast at nearly 6,300 feet.

— Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The gang hauls the contraption to the front curb and pours their non-alcoholic beers into it.

— Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026