WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

bear on
    v 1: be relevant to; "There were lots of questions referring to
         her talk"; "My remark pertained to your earlier comments"
         [syn: refer, pertain, relate, concern, come to,
         bear on, touch, touch on, have-to doe with]
    2: have an effect upon; "Will the new rules affect me?" [syn:
       affect, impact, bear upon, bear on, touch on,
       touch]
    3: press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of
       an action; "He pushed her to finish her doctorate" [syn:
       push, bear on]
    4: keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or
       last; "preserve the peace in the family"; "continue the
       family tradition"; "Carry on the old traditions" [syn:
       continue, uphold, carry on, bear on, preserve]
       [ant: cease, discontinue, give up, lay off, quit,
       stop]