Weary vs Wary | Meaning, Difference & Pronunciation
The adjectives weary and wary have different meanings and pronunciations.
- Weary means “tired,” and its first syllable [wear-y] rhymes with “here.” If you are “weary of” something, you are “tired” or “bored of it.”
- Wary means “careful” or “cautious,” and it rhymes with “hairy.” If you are “wary of” something, you do not trust it (yet).
| Weary in a sentence | Wary in a sentence |
|---|---|
| He was feeling weary after a long day’s hiking. | My daughter was a bit wary of the dog at first. |
| The city offers a wide range of accommodation for weary travelers. | He accepted the stranger’s help with a wary look in his eyes. |
| I’m growing a bit weary of the food in the cafeteria. | People are increasingly wary about the dangers of social media. |
Weary meaning
Weary is an adjective meaning “tired” or “exhausted.” If you are “weary of” something, you are no longer enthusiastic about it or are “tired of” it.
“Weary” is frequently used with the linking verbs “grow,” “become,” “look,” and “feel.”
Local people are becoming weary of the disruptions caused by the roadworks.
I’m feeling a bit weary of all the endless meetings.
“Weary” is also used as a verb to mean “become tired” or “make tired/bored.”
The band eventually wearied of the constant touring.
The repetitive nature of the job began to weary him.
Wary meaning
The adjective wary means “cautious” or “mistrusting.” If you are “wary of/about” something, you are careful because it could be dangerous or problematic.
I’m wary of saying anything because it’s not really any of my business.
I’d be wary about ordering from that website, if I were you.
The phrase keep a wary eye on means to “remain focused on” because you are concerned about possible dangers or problems.
Keep a wary eye on the weather and don’t set off unless the forecast is good.
Frequently asked questions about weary vs wary
- What is a synonym for wary?
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Synonyms for wary include:
- Cautious
- Careful
- Circumspect
- Suspicious
- Apprehensive
Be careful when using weary or wary because they have different meanings.
Why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “wary” in your specific context?
- What are some antonyms for wary?
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Some antonyms for wary include:
- Trusting
- Confident
- Unsuspecting
- Certain
- Careless
Be careful when using weary or wary because they have different meanings.
You can use QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool to help you decide which antonym for “wary” is the best fit for your context.
- How do you pronounce weary?
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The first syllable of “weary” [wear-y] rhymes with the word “here.”
Be careful when using weary or wary because they have different meanings. You can use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to make sure you’re not mixing them up.
