wearying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wearying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes fatigue or exhaustion, often in a figurative sense, such as a task or situation that is tiresome. Example: "The constant demands of the job can be quite wearying, leaving little time for relaxation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To most outside the bubble, this excessive navel-gazing is wearying, even alienating: it fosters the sense of a media class which is only interested in what people like them have said about other people like them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The initial dilemma is whether to go for a childhood favourite – I was always a Frosties fan, despite finding Tony the Tiger's carry-on a tad wearying – or something completely new.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other times the questions can just become wearying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The region has grown quickly and unevenly since then but the law has proved resilient; states used to sue each other with wearying frequency but now work together well.The problem is that 1922 fell in an unusually wet period.

The Economist

But the amateur psychoanalysis and meaningful snatches of Kipling's "Law of the Jungle" were wearying.

The Economist

But the spectacle has become too painful, too empty and too wearying to contemplate.

The Economist

Yet he chronicles his travels with a wearying feather-light jocularity, prizing one-liners over lucid analysis.

The Economist

It is a world between worlds in which the realities are frequent physical discomfort, the wearying alternation between light and dark, anxieties about food, the mercies of wind and waves, not to mention the perpetual company of strangers.

The Economist

Billions of wasted dollars and many destroyed lives later, illegal drugs are still available, and the anti-drug warriors are wearying.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet the challenge presented by ISIS (which now wishes to be known as the State of the Islamic Caliphate) underlines the sorrowful condition into which Arab politics has sunk.Why is the Arab world a weary and wearying mess?

The Economist

We don't really root, or some of us don't anyway; we are engaged in mock warfare, and the truth that it is mock does not make the defeats any less war-wearying.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "wearying". While appropriate in many situations, more direct synonyms like "tiring" or "exhausting" may be preferable in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "wearying" to describe sudden or acute exhaustion. It's more appropriate for gradual depletion. Instead of saying, "The sprint was wearying", consider "The sprint was exhausting".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wearying" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb "weary". It often functions as an adjective, describing something that causes fatigue. As shown by Ludwig, it's often associated with prolonged situations or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wearying" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, indicating something that causes fatigue or exhaustion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of gradual depletion of energy. While synonyms like "tiring" or "exhausting" exist, "wearying" specifically emphasizes the prolonged or persistent nature of the fatigue-inducing element. To avoid misuse, reserve "wearying" for situations where the exhaustion builds up over time, rather than for sudden instances of fatigue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiring

Focuses on the act of causing fatigue.

exhausting

Emphasizes the complete depletion of energy.

fatiguing

A more formal synonym for tiring.

draining

Highlights the loss of emotional or mental energy.

taxing

Suggests a heavy demand on one's resources.

grueling

Implies extreme exhaustion and difficulty.

arduous

Describes something requiring great effort and endurance.

onerous

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of something.

enervating

Suggests a gradual loss of vitality.

debilitating

Highlights the weakening effect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "wearying" in a sentence?

You can use "wearying" to describe something that gradually causes fatigue or makes you feel tired. For example, "The constant noise from the construction site was incredibly wearying".

What are some alternatives to "wearying"?

Some alternatives to "wearying" include "tiring", "exhausting", or "fatiguing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wearying" the same as "tired"?

"Wearying" describes something that causes tiredness, while "tired" describes the state of feeling fatigued. A task can be "wearying", causing someone to feel "tired".

When is it appropriate to use "wearying" over other synonyms?

Use "wearying" when you want to emphasize the gradual or persistent nature of something that causes fatigue or loss of energy. It's suitable when describing a process or situation that slowly drains you, unlike "exhausting" which can describe an immediate effect.