Phrase guide

bear down

verb · 13 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bear, down.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To steer away from the wind; to approach from windward.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate; to stand one's ground against.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To intensify one's efforts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • It's 9:41, 58 degrees, and I'm flunking out. Time to bear down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To approach in a determined manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, with-on

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To exert downward pressure on one's abdomen, as in giving birth, forcing out feces, and some similar bodily maneuvers.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

exert a force or cause a strain upon

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This tax bears down on the lower middle class

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: charge, saddle, burden

9

verb

Meaning 9

pay special attention to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The lectures bore down on the political background

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: stress, emphasize, emphasise, punctuate, accent, accentuate

10

verb

Meaning 10

exert full strength

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The pitcher bore down

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: contend, fight, struggle

11

verb

Meaning 11

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: charge

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rush

12

verb

Meaning 12

contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overbear

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: compress, constrict, squeeze, compact, contract, press

13

verb

Meaning 13

exert a force with a heavy weight

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The snow bore down on the roof

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drag down, bear down on, press down on, weigh down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: press

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: laskea — nautical: to steer away from the wind
  • Finnish: selättää — to push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome
  • Finnish: päihittää — to push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome
  • Finnish: väittää vastaan — to maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate
  • Finnish: pysyä kannassaan — to maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate
  • Finnish: painaa päälle — to intensify one's efforts
  • Finnish: puskea kohti — to approach in a determined manner
  • Finnish: puskea päin — to approach in a determined manner
  • Finnish: ponnistaa — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen
  • Indonesian: ejan — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen
  • Japanese: 息む (ikimu) — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen
  • Sundanese: heujeun — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen
  • Swedish: krysta — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen
  • Tamil: முக்கு (mukku) — to exert downward pressure on one's abdomen