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Synonyms

tiresome

American  
[tahyuhr-suhm] / ˈtaɪər səm /

adjective

  1. causing or liable to cause a person to tire; wearisome.

    a tiresome job.

    Synonyms:
    humdrum, dull
  2. annoying or vexatious.

    Antonyms:
    interesting

tiresome British  
/ ˈtaɪəsəm /

adjective

  1. boring and irritating; irksome

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of tiresome

First recorded in 1490–1500; tire 1 + -some 1

Explanation

Something that's tiresome is extremely dull or annoying, like the tiresome lecture your whole class gets every time some forgets to turn in their homework. Your little sister might love her enormous picture book about trucks, while you find it tiresome (especially when you're reading it to her for the tenth time). It's entirely possible that she finds some of your favorite things—like French movies, baking pies, or jazz—equally tiresome. This synonym for tedious first appeared around 1500, from the verb tire, or "become weary."

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Vocabulary lists containing tiresome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tiresome repetition doesn’t make this allegation any more accurate.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2019

He is a climate change sceptic, has been nicknamed "Andrew Tiresome", and in 2010, despite his ambition, he failed to get a government job.

From The Guardian • Apr. 19, 2013

Tiresome though it is to note, music videos all but vanished from MTV not long after Beavis and Butt-head did, so the boys have had to expand their range.

From Slate • Oct. 26, 2011

Tiresome swains can be cut off with a keystroke.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tiresome woman!" cried Lady Kynaston, angrily; "there is no end to the trouble she causes.

From Vera Nevill Or, Poor Wisdom's Chance by Cameron, H. Lovett, Mrs.

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