weary 1 of 2

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

2 of 2

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
The sound of her stomping up the staircase causes her parents to share a look of weary consternation. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 If the weather’s not quite suited for alfresco hangs, a subterranean level has an indoor pool, plus a sauna for relaxing your weary muscles. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Breaking up the wearying journey, devotees gather for outbreaks of extravagant revelry – ground-shaking music and dancing fueled by devotion, ganja and alcohol, as befits in their eyes Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and renewal, to whom the festival is dedicated. Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 Johnny works 40 minutes past one and goes to bed wearied by the Sisyphean task. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weary
Adjective
  • Stein conducted experiments under James’s supervision, but quickly tired of studying her subjects’ responses and preferred talking with them and tracking their characters.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
  • If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The story centers around a bored master of Halloween hijinks named Jack Skellington, who wants to trade in spookiness for Santa Claus.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • If this falls by the wayside, your pup may be bored or anxious.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But Braun was solid before tiring and working through injuries that affected him on the ball over the final month last season.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Instead of a chance to flex their goalscoring muscles, United had to grit their teeth and see out a gruelling, tense, tiring second half.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle native to Asia that bores into wood and kills ash trees by eating tissues under the bark.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Great Again hat, a shirt emblazoned with the president’s name and a large American flag on his shoulder — well, that’s not boring.
    Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Bachelor will always find a wife in six weeks, Kim and Khloe will always make up, and Chrishell and crew will always wear inappropriate outfits in a professional atmosphere.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers have developed a new type of textile that can adjust its aerodynamic properties while worn on the body.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Several hours — and what was probably pounds of foundation — later, an exhausted Diaz had to get back to the New Orleans airport to catch his flight while the rest of the team was at the stadium.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also warned that exhausted, stressed and overworked controllers, many of whom have reported needing to get second jobs to cover bills while their paychecks are paused, could increase risks of issues arising at airports, and more have been calling in sick.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the pacing and breadth of the episode ensure that things never get boring, not all the stories are equally compelling.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Klum doesn't want to let anyone down by choosing the boring or easy way out with a costume.
    Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As Snell continued to tire and miss his spots, Toronto’s opportunities kept flowing.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weary. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on weary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!