weariness 1 of 3

Definition of wearinessnext

weary

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
3
as in tiring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a weary march through a lot of boring facts and figures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weary

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word weary distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weary are exhaust, fatigue, jade, and tire. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

When is it sensible to use exhaust instead of weary?

The meanings of exhaust and weary largely overlap; however, exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

In what contexts can fatigue take the place of weary?

The synonyms fatigue and weary are sometimes interchangeable, but fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

Where would jade be a reasonable alternative to weary?

While the synonyms jade and weary are close in meaning, jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When is tire a more appropriate choice than weary?

Although the words tire and weary have much in common, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

How is the word weary distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weary are exhaust, fatigue, jade, and tire. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

When is it sensible to use exhaust instead of weary?

The meanings of exhaust and weary largely overlap; however, exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

In what contexts can fatigue take the place of weary?

The synonyms fatigue and weary are sometimes interchangeable, but fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

Where would jade be a reasonable alternative to weary?

While the synonyms jade and weary are close in meaning, jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When is tire a more appropriate choice than weary?

Although the words tire and weary have much in common, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weariness
Noun
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents. Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026 The author approaches her subject with the weariness of a long-suffering old friend, sighingly explaining Stanton’s tantrums to newcomers. Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Diplomats worked through back channels Tuesday to arrange a new round of talks between the United States and Iran after Washington enacted its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region. Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 Cobweb guitar melodies trace the room, crossing paths with spare, weary string arrangements. Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Though their studio albums of the period all reached the top 20, the Dead were wearied by operating their own label, and Grateful Dead Records folded in late 1976. Chris Morris, Variety, 10 Jan. 2026 And then, with wearying inevitability, the Premier League would follow suit. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weariness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weariness
Noun
  • When John begins spitting out his food, his mother, Heather (Shirley Henderson), worn down by exhaustion and anger, banishes him from the dinner table—the first in an unceasing series of maternal rejections.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Sepideh Moafi is incredible in this scene, perfectly hitting every note of the anger, fear, and exhaustion Al-Hashimi is feeling.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Italian nonne stirred pots full of sauce with a look of utter boredom and, here and there, Neapolitan ragazzi sat atop their motorini and gawped at the torture.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • In some cases, however, there’s more to a creeping sense of boredom than just stability.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • However, his attempts to introduce a more aggressive man-for-man pressing style also place higher physical demands on already tired players.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Even the film’s critic-defying, pinky-swearing fanbase may be disappointed in the barebones production, jarring plotting, tired dialogue and ham-handed staging.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps the Wolves get bored or complacent with the successful process and abandon it in favor of isolation.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Wouldn’t the fans be too bored during that time?
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Flimsy nozzles crack and leak, and heavy-duty nozzles get tiring to hold when your garden calls for more watering time than your hands can handle.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Swift herself talked about how tiring the tour was and what her plans for the future were last October on BBC Radio 1 with Greg James.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Little about the New England Patriots’ last three weeks has been boring.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • And the fact that people pay money to stand around for four hours, or more, to watch a press conference is a remarkable testament to sports fans’ willingness to be bored as long as football is tangentially involved.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Two men carried an effigy of Maduro, his eyes blood-red, and his teeth vampiric, wearing a prison jumpsuit with a chain around his neck.
    Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2026
  • For accessories, Hathaway wore a set of pink gold Bulgari jewels, including a sparkly wrap bracelet, dangling earrings, and a red cocktail ring, according to InStyle.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • When Elias Manolis started experiencing extreme fatigue early last year, his parents were alarmed, but not surprised.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Pain, fatigue, medication schedules, and appointments start to shape everything.
    Ana Jarzin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weariness. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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