Weary vs. Wary — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Weary refers to a state of physical or mental fatigue, stemming from exertion or stress; wary describes a feeling of caution or suspicion about potential dangers or problems.
Difference Between Weary and Wary
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Key Differences
Weary implies tiredness that comes from overworking, long durations of activity, or emotional strain. In contrast, wary denotes alertness to potential threats, suggesting a strategic and thoughtful approach to avoiding harm.
A person becomes weary after prolonged physical or mental activities which drain their energy, leading to a need for rest or sleep. On the other hand, being wary involves a keen sense of awareness and cautiousness, often without any physical fatigue involved.
Weary is often used to describe an overall sensation of exhaustion that can affect one's entire disposition. Whereas, wary specifically refers to an attitude or mindset characterized by vigilance and caution.
Emotional contexts for weary can include feelings of disenchantment or boredom after extended exposure to a repetitive task. Wary, however, is more about anticipating deceit or trouble, not influenced by boredom but by suspicion.
While weary can result from both positive and negative experiences that involve exertion (e.g., after a fulfilling day of work or an exhausting argument), wary is generally associated with negative anticipation, expecting potential threats or problems.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Feeling tired or exhausted from physical or mental exertion.
Feeling cautious or on guard against dangers or deceptions.
Derived from
Overwork, prolonged activity, emotional strain.
Suspicion, anticipation of problems, strategic caution.
Emotional Tone
Exhaustion, fatigue, possibly boredom.
Vigilance, alertness, suspicion.
Usage in Sentences
Often linked to a need for rest or recovery.
Linked to awareness and avoidance of potential harm.
Outcome
Necessitates a period of rest or disengagement.
Leads to careful decision-making and preventative actions.
Compare with Definitions
Weary
Feeling exhausted due to effort or duration.
The weary hiker finally reached the summit after eight hours.
Wary
Suspicious or not easily convinced.
The wary customer checked the product reviews extensively.
Weary
Tired in a physical or mental sense.
After final exams, the students were visibly weary.
Wary
Cautious of potential dangers or problems.
She was wary of the strangers loitering outside the building.
Weary
Needing rest after overactivity.
The weary travelers looked forward to a night's rest.
Wary
On guard against deception or disappointment.
They were wary of the too-good-to-be-true deal.
Weary
Fatigued by tedious or repetitive tasks.
She was weary of the monotonous office work.
Wary
Thoughtfully cautious, often strategically.
Wary of market fluctuations, the investor diversified his portfolio.
Weary
Drained of enthusiasm, often due to overexertion.
He became weary of the prolonged negotiations.
Wary
Alert and careful, especially in new or risky situations.
He remained wary during the negotiations.
Weary
Weary is a surname, and may refer to:
Wary
On guard; watchful
Taught to be wary of strangers.
Weary
Physically or mentally tired.
Wary
Characterized by caution
A wary glance at the black clouds.
Weary
Expressive of or prompted by tiredness
A weary smile.
Wary
Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent
He is wary of dogs.
Weary
Having one's interest, forbearance, or indulgence worn out
Weary of delays.
Wary
Characterized by caution; guarded; careful; on one's guard
Weary
Causing fatigue; tiresome
A weary wait.
Wary
Thrifty, provident
Weary
To make or become weary.
Wary
Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful.
We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men.
Weary
Having the strength exhausted by toil or exertion; tired; fatigued.
A weary traveller knocked at the door.
Wary
Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.
It behoveth our words to be wary and few.
Weary
Having one's patience, relish, or contentment exhausted; tired; sick.
Soldiers weary of marching, or of confinement;
I grew weary of studying and left the library.
Wary
Marked by keen caution and watchful prudence;
They were wary in their movements
A wary glance at the black clouds
Taught to be wary of strangers
Weary
Expressive of fatigue.
He gave me a weary smile.
Wary
Openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
Weary
Causing weariness; tiresome.
Weary
To make or to become weary.
Weary
Having the strength exhausted by toil or exertion; worn out in respect to strength, endurance, etc.; tired; fatigued.
I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary.
[I] am weary, thinking of your task.
Weary
Causing weariness; tiresome.
Weary
Having one's patience, relish, or contentment exhausted; tired; sick; - with of before the cause; as, weary of marching, or of confinement; weary of study.
Weary
To reduce or exhaust the physical strength or endurance of; to tire; to fatigue; as, to weary one's self with labor or traveling.
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers.
Weary
To make weary of anything; to exhaust the patience of, as by continuance.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee.
Weary
To harass by anything irksome.
I would not ceaseTo weary him with my assiduous cries.
Weary
To grow tired; to become exhausted or impatient; as, to weary of an undertaking.
Weary
Exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress;
We wore ourselves out on this hike
Weary
Get tired of something or somebody
Weary
Physically and mentally fatigued;
`aweary' is archaic
Common Curiosities
Why might someone feel wary in a new environment?
New environments can present unknown variables and potential risks, prompting a cautious approach.
What does weary mean?
Weary describes a state of fatigue or exhaustion resulting from prolonged exertion or stress.
How do weary and wary differ in emotional context?
Weary is associated with tiredness and fatigue, whereas wary conveys caution and vigilance.
What are typical causes of weariness?
Long hours of work, intense physical activity, emotional stress, and lack of sleep are common causes.
How can one manage a wary approach to life?
Maintaining a balance between cautiousness and openness can help manage wariness effectively.
Can someone be both weary and wary at the same time?
Yes, it's possible to be physically exhausted but still cautious and alert to potential risks.
What are the signs of being wary?
Signs include being alert, cautious in decision-making, and questioning inconsistencies.
What does wary mean?
Wary refers to being cautious or on alert against possible dangers or deceptions.
How does weariness impact productivity?
Weariness can significantly decrease productivity and concentration, making tasks harder to complete.
Is weariness always a result of negative experiences?
Not necessarily; one can be weary even after positive but exhausting experiences, like a celebration or an engaging project.
Does being weary affect one's emotional state?
Yes, prolonged weariness can lead to feelings of despair, frustration, or disinterest.
What can lead a person to be wary of others?
Past experiences of betrayal or deceit can make a person more cautious or wary in their interactions.
How does one overcome wariness?
Building trust, gaining experience, and learning more about a situation can help overcome excessive cautiousness.
Can weariness be avoided?
Regular breaks, proper rest, and managing workload can help prevent weariness.
What role does intuition play in being wary?
Intuition often guides wariness, helping individuals sense when something is amiss even without explicit evidence.
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Repetition vs. ReplicationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
