weariness 1 of 3

Definition of wearinessnext
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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

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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

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
As progressive Democrats use weariness of war in Iran and skepticism of big money to keep driving voters away from AIPAC, however, other sectors of the party are getting dragged down. David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 June 2026 But the show wouldn’t have worked without Smart, who imbued Deborah with wisdom and weariness, grit and glamour. Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Adjective
There is no rest for the weary in the ever-evolving world of high-leverage relievers. Greg Jewett, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Lancelot, noticeably weary, impassive, and preoccupied atop an equally weary black horse, follows the sorcerer, while Merlin leads him up the path into the realm of shadows, out of the frame to the left. Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Verb
Even for those spared personal catastrophe, the broader atmosphere has been wearying; institutions strained, norms eroded, tempers short. Phillip Halpern, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for weariness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weariness
Noun
  • Punch was abandoned by his mother after his birth a year ago Sunday, presumably because of exhaustion.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Rescue teams must also reach the victim and remove them from the water quickly, particularly when exhaustion, cold or rough conditions could make survival more difficult.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Common reasons your dog is barking Oftentimes, boredom or attention-seeking is at the root of barking.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026
  • While the crews work to ensure their ships remain seaworthy, and movies and ping-pong serve as distractions, staving off boredom and depression is a struggle.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • But markets are showing signs of fatigue, after absorbing this flood of debt in such a short time, S&P warned, pointing out that hyperscalers are now paying a higher premium compared with yields on risk-free bonds.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • The economic difficulties, energy blackouts, Internet restrictions, and general wartime fatigue have pushed Putin’s approval ratings from around 80 percent at the beginning of the year to 66 percent in mid-July.
    Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weariness. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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