apply vs bear on

apply and bear on both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
apply	No	No	Yes	No
bear on	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, bear on is a hypernym of apply; that is, bear on is a word with a broader meaning than apply:

Other hypernyms of apply include come to, concern, have to do with, pertain, refer, relate, touch, touch on.

apply (verb)	bear on (verb)
ask (for something)	have an effect upon
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing	press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose	be relevant to
coat, cover or smear a surface with	keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
give or convey physically
avail oneself to
ensure observance of laws and rules
apply oneself to
be pertinent or relevant or applicable
be applicable to; as to an analysis