weariness

American  

[weer-ee-nis] / ˈwɪər i nɪs /

noun

1. the state or condition of being physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain, etc.; tiredness; fatigue.

   Weariness, pain, and hunger made the wretched man fall asleep, and he slept the whole night.

2. impatience or dissatisfaction with something tedious or burdensome (often used in combination).

   The people have begun to show a war-weariness and apathy brought on by the long, brutal struggle for independence.

   At 50, the singer still has boyish charm with none of the weariness of life—he’s curious, passionate, and engaged.

3. the quality of causing such fatigue or dissatisfaction; a tiring or tedious quality.

   The summer heat only heightened the weariness of their journey.

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Other Word Forms

• self-weariness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of weariness

weary ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

Weariness is a temporary feeling of low energy and tiredness. Most people feel weariness after a long day of work. Marathons, babysitting small children, standardized tests, and getting old can also cause weariness. When you're weary, you're tired. Put a –ness at the end of the word to make a noun, and viola! weariness is the condition of feeling tired or fatigued. In fact, the familiar French loan word fatigue means “weariness.” Physical work (like helping someone move) or mental work (like reading a difficult book) can make you experience weariness. If a busy schedule is making you feel a general sense of weariness, it’s time for a vacation.

Example Sentences

Weariness aside, Rochant felt that he had reached a mythical television target.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2020

Weariness was in the air, along with the smell of sweat, urine and moldering trash.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2019

Weariness, Mr. Roberts seemed to be saying, is expected; giving up is not an option.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2017

Weariness, though, is another opponent Spieth will have to negotiate after feeling the effects of a "crazy four-month adventure" of tournament play in South Korea, China, Australia, the U.S.,

From Reuters • Jan. 26, 2016

Weariness flagged me down and I stopped in a pleasant motel.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• boredom
• ennui
• fatigue