- 1[transitive] (used with can/could in negative sentences and questions) to be able to accept and deal with something unpleasant synonym stand bear something The pain was almost more than he could bear. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him. bear doing something I can't bear having cats in the house. He can't bear being laughed at. bear to do something He can't bear to be laughed at. How can you bear to eat that stuff? bear somebody doing something I can't bear you doing that. Thesaurushate
- dislike
- can't stand
- despise
- can't bear
- loathe
- detest
- hate to have a strong feeling of dislike for someone or something Although hate is generally a very strong verb, it is also commonly used in spoken or informal English to talk about people or things that you dislike in a less important way, for example a particular type of food:He hates violence in any form. I've always hated cabbage.
- dislike (somewhat formal) to not like someone or something Dislike is a somewhat formal word; it is less formal, and more usual, to say that you don't like someone or something, especially in spoken English:I don't like it when you call me so late at night.
- can't stand (somewhat informal) used to emphasize that you really do not like someone or something:I can't stand his brother. She couldn't stand to be kept waiting.
- despise to dislike and have no respect for someone or something:He despised himself for being so cowardly.
- can't bear used to say that you dislike something so much that you cannot accept or deal with it:I can't bear the thought of being without you.
- In many cases you can use either expression, but can't bear is stronger and more formal than can't stand.
- loathe (formal) to hate someone or something very much:They loathe each other. Loathe is generally an even stronger verb than hate, but it can also be used more informally to say that you “really don't like” something:I loathe country music.
- detest (somewhat formal) to hate someone or something very much:They absolutely detest each other.
- I hate/dislike/can't stand/can't bear/loathe/detest doing something
- I hate/can't stand to do something
- I hate/dislike/can't stand/can't bear it when…
- I really hate/dislike/can't stand/despise/can't bear/detest somebody/something
- I absolutely hate/can't stand/loathe/detest somebody/something
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
be responsible for something - 2[transitive] bear something (formal) to take responsibility for something She bore the responsibility for most of the changes. Do parents have to bear the whole cost of tuition fees? Tuition fees are usually borne by the parents. You shouldn't have to bear the blame for other people's mistakes.
- 3[transitive] not bear to not be suitable for something bear something Her later work does not bear comparison with her earlier novels (= because it is not nearly as good). The plan won't bear close inspection (= it will be found to be unacceptable when carefully examined). bear doing something The joke doesn't bear repeating (= because it is not funny or may offend people). His sufferings don't bear thinking about (= because they are so terrible). negative feeling
- 4[transitive] to have a feeling, especially a negative feeling bear something (against/toward somebody) He bears no resentment toward them. bear somebody something She bore him no ill will. support weight
- 5[transitive] bear something to support the weight of someone or something The ice is too thin to bear your weight. The weight of the bridge is borne by steel beams. show
- 6[transitive] bear something (formal) to show something; to carry something so that it can be seen The document bore her signature. He was badly wounded in the war and still bears the scars. She bears little resemblance to (= is not much like) her mother. The title of the essay bore little relation to (= was not much connected with) the contents. name
- 7[transitive] bear something (formal) to have a particular name a family that bore an ancient and honored name
- 8[transitive] bear somebody/something (old-fashioned or formal) to carry someone or something, especially while moving three kings bearing gifts yourself
- 9[transitive] bear yourself well, etc. (formal) to move, behave, or act in a particular way He bears himself (= stands, walks, etc.) proudly, like a soldier. She bore herself with dignity throughout the funeral. child
- 10[transitive] (formal) to give birth to a child bear something She was not able to bear children. bear somebody something She had borne him six sons. of trees/plants
- 11[transitive] bear something (formal) to produce flowers or fruit turn
- 12[intransitive] bear (to the) left, north, etc. to go or turn in the direction mentioned When you get to the fork in the road, bear right. Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//bɛr//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they bear he / she / it bears
past simple bore
past participle borne
-ing form bearing
to be a soldier; to fight
to have a successful result
to be a cause of difficulty or suffering to someone Taxes bear heavily on us all.
to remember someone or something; to remember or consider that…
to receive the main force of something unpleasant Schools will bear the brunt of cuts in government spending.
to provide evidence of the truth of something The crowd of mourners at his funeral bore witness to the public's great affection for him.
to use energy, pressure, influence, etc. to try to achieve something or make someone do something We must bring all our energies to bear upon the task. Pressure was brought to bear on us to finish the work on time.
(only used as an infinitive and in orders) to accept pain, disappointment, or a difficult situation without complaining There's nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to grin and bear it.
to have a difficult problem that makes you worried or unhappy but that you have to deal with We all have our crosses to bear. Phrasal Verbsbear down onbear onbear outbear upbear with
Check pronunciation: bear