bear down

verb

bore down; borne down also born down; bearing down; bears down

intransitive verb

: to exert full strength and concentrated attention
Phrases
bear down on
1
2
: to weigh heavily on : burden

Examples of bear down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars went from last place to first in the AFC South a year ago, but are clinging on to their second straight division title via tiebreaker with the Texans and Colts bearing down this weekend. Safid Deen, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2024 The hospital complex has adapted along with Gaza over the years, each time changed by the political pressures that bear down on this crowded but small piece of land. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 Templeton felt as if the daily menial tasks were meant to distract her from her lack of autonomy and independence, and the pressure to be perfect was bearing down on her. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 As the climate crisis deepens—specifically as more frequent, hotter wildfires bear down on the American West and as temperatures rise across the country—that degradation will continue. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024 With winter weather bearing down on the Northeast, Tuesday promises to be a travel headache at the region’s airports. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 As the full force of the Realm bears down on the burgeoning rebellion, unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge, and legends are made. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2024 Did the presence of a blue-chip recruit who happens to be the nephew of two Super Bowl winners cause Ewers to bear down a little more last summer? Perhaps. Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Dec. 2023 Then a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust just as a Nor’easter bears down on the island disrupts her newfound life, leaving Ken trapped with a group of possibly dangerous strangers—including the man who brought her life tumbling down years earlier. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bear down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bear down was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bear down

Cite this Entry

“Bear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bear%20down. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bear down

verb
1
2
: to press or weigh down
3
: to make an all-out effort
4
: to weigh heavily on : burden

Medical Definition

bear down

intransitive verb
: to contract the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm during childbirth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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