1
as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of
the job of running their own business wears them sometimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eroding
to damage or diminish by continued friction
all that walking every day wore the soles of my shoes very quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in standing
British
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
her marriage is so bad—I don't know how she wears it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in draining
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wearing
Daneet Steffens, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
Verb
The force of Burton’s manic personality was very wearing.
—Daneet Steffens, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wearing
Verb
-
The traditional barriers surrounding proprietary AI are eroding, ushering in a new era of innovation that will redefine the global AI race.—
Vandana Rana,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Gerrymandering reduces electoral competition, entrenches incumbents, and marginalizes whole communities, ultimately eroding public trust in democracy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The hems are finished with double stitching to prevent the edges from fraying or unraveling.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Perspective, of course, is sometimes no match for the cold math of an underwhelming win streak or a locker room with fraying edges.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Thank you for tolerating a strange British idiot.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
-
Instead of being about a bunch of observers helplessly tolerating their peculiar friend, the sketch became an absurd illustration of the way groupthink manifests.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
After an incredible season in 2023, the lefty struggled mightily last season before accepting his player option worth north of $20 million for the 2025 campaign.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Countries accepting the phones included China and the United Arab Emirates, according to federal court filings in the Eastern District of Texas.—
Michael Loria,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The restaurant offers a menu that strikes the perfect balance of enough variety without being overwhelming.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
-
The weather service also issued a flood advisory for Edwards and Real counties until 2:30 p.m., citing minor flooding in low-lying areas with poor drainage and water overwhelming roadways.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The 2-to-1 decision was the latest upheaval for families awaiting a resolution in the long, agonizing case and does not mean the conspiracy trial can start soon.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
After twenty agonizing minutes of missiles, the all-clear sounded.—
Debbie Koristz,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some people will also get deeper nodules and cysts that are painful or tender to the touch.2 Ice can be very effective at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 July 2025
-
The tents are overrun by mosquitoes and other large insects, subjecting people to frequent and painful insect bites.—
Steve Bousquet,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and chronic back pain often involve emotional suffering that can be more debilitating than the physical sensation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 July 2025
-
Alzheimer’s and dementia of all kinds, as well as slow-moving but debilitating and painful diseases like multiple sclerosis, ALS and Parkinson’s, take years to exact their vicious tolls, and thus do not make the compassionate cut.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wearing. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share