Definitions:

1. to contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery verb
   • I was bearing down for hours.
2. to exert a force or cause a strain upon verb
   • I had to bear down on the last screw.
3. to exert full strength verb
   • I tried to bear down on the screw driver, but the screw was already stripped.
4. to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle verb
   • The attacking army bears down on their enemy.
5. to pay special attention to verb
   • I beared down on the suspicious employee.

Synonyms:

• charge
• overbear