weary 1 of 2

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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 weary
Adjective
That was an impressive effort, as was what three members of a weary bullpen did to close out the victory. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025 The story follows British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, who is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 May 2025
Verb
But this is a fanbase — and perhaps a team — wearied by near-misses. James McNicholas, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 His name was Michael Jackson, a fact that seemed to weary him greatly. Blair Braverman, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for weary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weary
Adjective
  • Mowing Lawns Homeowners are usually away on vacation or are probably too tired to maintain their yards.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But, in Dick’s opinion, Charlie grew tired of baseball’s daily grind.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Historians speculate that the first golfer was likely a shepherd who grew bored with his work one day, swung his crook and made contact with a rock that went flying.
    Miles Corwin, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025
  • If Rob and Ryan are struck by lightning, get bored, fall out, get sick or lose a court case, will Wrexham look so transcendent?
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Seeing that expansion and contraction over and over for six episodes (let alone three seasons) can grow tiring, and Season 3 certainly suffers from a sense of exhaustion.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
  • Now in his 80s trips to the islands are more challenging, and maintaining a boat that can make the journey is expensive and tiring.
    Kathleen Rellihan, Outside Online, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Signs of infestation include a decline in leaf growth, boring dust in the cracks of tree bark and oozing sap, according to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
    Cameron Macdonald, Mercury News, 20 June 2025
  • Burnett seems bored by the conventions of the revenge gangster plot, which took over Black film and music, in the nineties.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • She’s known for crafting the clothes worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 28 June 2025
  • The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • After overseeing five issues in a nine-month tenure at the helm, an exhausted Johnson returned to American Medical News full time in 1990, and Chicago Times folded several months later.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
  • The exhausted face of its owner, a tech executive ending another 14-hour workday, tells quite another.
    Pavi Theva, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is worlds away from that boring deli chicken sandwich, while still being easy enough to whip up on the busiest of days.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • The contract’s scope of work includes the single bore tunnel, station entrances and exits, the excavation of underground stations and the procurement of a tunnel boring machine.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Runs in them were short, quick bursts, relishing the feeling of power transferring through my feet but being careful not to tire and start clunking.
    Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
  • During the first few weeks after surgery, your eyelids are likely to tire faster than usual.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weary. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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