overweary
Low/RareLiterary, Formal, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To make someone or oneself excessively tired or fatigued.
To exhaust physically or mentally beyond normal limits; to cause to become worn out through excessive strain.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used reflexively ('to overweary oneself'). Implies a degree of self-inflicted or preventable exhaustion beyond necessary or reasonable effort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in both varieties. Slight preference for reflexive construction in British literary contexts.
Connotations
Literary, somewhat archaic. Connotes a deliberate or foolish pushing beyond one's limits.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. Found primarily in 19th-century literature and modern historical or poetic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (transitive)[VN refl] (reflexive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is rare.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Rare; may appear in literary criticism or historical analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- "Do not overweary yourself with these labours," the physician advised.
- She feared the long journey would overweary the horses.
- He had a tendency to overweary his mind with incessant study.
American English
- The coach warned the team not to overweary their bodies before the big game.
- Volunteers were careful not to overweary the elderly residents.
- The manual cautioned against overwearying the engine during the break-in period.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The long hike overweared the children.
- Be careful not to overweary yourself at the gym.
- The relentless schedule threatened to overweary even the most dedicated employees.
- She realised she had overwearied her mind with worry and needed a complete break.
- The author's prose, while beautiful, has a density that can overweary the casual reader.
- They were cautioned against overwearying the goodwill of their hosts with constant demands.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: OVER + WEARY = to go OVER the limit into WEARINESS.
Conceptual Metaphor
FATIGUE IS A BURDEN (one can be overloaded with weariness).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'перенапрячь' (to overstrain) which is more physical/mechanical. 'Overweary' implies a deeper, more general exhaustion.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (*'I overweary quickly'). It requires an object.
- Confusing it with 'overwhelm'.
- Using in modern colloquial contexts where it sounds unnatural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'overweary' most likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and has an archaic or literary feel. Synonyms like 'exhaust' or 'wear out' are far more common.
No, 'overweary' is almost exclusively a verb. The adjective form 'overweary' is obsolete. Use 'overly weary' or 'exhausted' instead.
'Weary' means to become or cause to become tired. 'Overweary' intensifies this, meaning to cause excessive, often unnecessary or harmful, fatigue.
It is equally rare in both. No significant regional difference exists for such an uncommon word.