Definition

Noun: 1. A state of physical or mental exhaustion; fatigue: The condition of feeling extremely tired, often as a result of prolonged effort, stress, or lack of rest. 2. A feeling of boredom or lack of interest; tedium: A state of being weary due to monotony or something that is no longer engaging.

Usage

"Weariness" describes a deep and often prolonged state of tiredness that affects the body, the mind, or both. It is more profound than simple sleepiness and implies a draining of energy and vitality. It can also describe an emotional or psychological fatigue from something tedious or repetitive.

Examples

• Physical/Mental Exhaustion:
  • After the long hike, a deep weariness settled into his muscles.
  • The constant stress of the project led to a feeling of mental weariness.
• Boredom or Tedium:
  • There was a note of weariness in her voice as she explained the procedure for the tenth time.
  • He felt a great weariness with the endless political debates.

Advanced Usage

• "A weariness of the spirit/soul": A profound feeling of existential fatigue or disillusionment.
  • The years of conflict left the soldiers with a deep weariness of the spirit.
• "To sink into weariness": To gradually become overwhelmed by fatigue.
  • As the night wore on, she sank into a quiet weariness.

Variants and Related Words

• Weary (adjective): Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.
• Weary (verb): To cause someone to become tired or to become tired oneself.
• Wearisome (adjective): Causing one to feel tired or bored; tedious.

Synonyms

• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.
• Exhaustion: A state of extreme physical or mental fatigue.
• Lassitude: A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.
• Lethargy: A lack of energy and enthusiasm; a state of sluggishness.

Antonyms

• Energy
• Vitality
• Vigor
• Refreshment

Idioms and Phrases

• "World-weariness": A feeling of being tired of or disillusioned with life, often due to long experience of the world's problems. This is a compound noun where "weariness" is a component.
  • His novels are filled with a sense of world-weariness and cynicism.

Noun

1. temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
   • he was hospitalized for extreme fatigue
   • growing fatigue was apparent from the decline in the execution of their athletic skills
   • weariness overcame her after twelve hours and she fell asleep