bleary

adjective

ˈblir-ē How to pronounce bleary (audio)
Definition of blearynext
1
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness disoriented, bleary passengers departing from the red-eye

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly the bleary outline of a fishing boat could just be seen through the fog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bleary The action begins during Paris Fashion Week, where a supermodel played by Bella Hadid staggers down the catwalk sweaty and bleary eyed, itching to escape the confines of her red leather Balenciaga ensemble. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 5 Jan. 2026 He was surrounded by his boys from Alabama, trading cracks with a bleary grin. — Nick Stern, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025 These are essentially gothic works, in which bleary, nocturnal isolation opens a door to bizarre impulses and uncanny transformations. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025 If earlier iterations of the lesbian vampire film were Gothic and ornate, Nadja is more shoegaze, captured on bleary black-and-white videotape with an expressionistic flair. — Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bleary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleary
  1. tired
  2. vague
  3. exhausted
  4. faint
  5. weary
  6. hazy
Adjective
  • Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Valadao, meanwhile, cast himself as an experienced policymaker who delivers for the region and dismissed the criticism as the political bickering voters are tired of.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Okay, Noah is somehow a Manhunter, though how this came to be is left vague and almost intangible for much of the episode.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The law includes an exception for when a pregnant person’s life is in danger, but physicians and lawyers have said the language is vague and could be interpreted differently by different doctors and hospitals.
    — Ciara McCarthy October 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • This is an important practical issue because nighttime feedings happen when parents are understandably exhausted.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers now think the answer is not more stimulation, but a chance to reset exhausted fibroblasts.
    — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausted
Adjective
  • The concept uses single-photon lidar to detect faint laser reflections from an aircraft.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This places the light on a more sensitive part of your retina and can make faint objects easier to see.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • And in storm-weary Hawaii, there’s the potential for catastrophic flooding from a growing Hurricane Nolo.
    — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
  • These short and intentional pauses from your tasks have been clinically proven to offer your weary brain a boost.
    — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of weary
Adjective
  • But the numbers that could give clarity on disabled kids in foster care are harder to come by — partly because of the sometimes hazy definitions of disability but also because of the failure of child welfare providers to even count them.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • As the show became a cultural juggernaut, some criticized its vigilante justice and the hazy line between law enforcement and journalism.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of hazy

Browse Nearby Words

blears
bleary
bleary-eyed
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Cite this Entry

“Bleary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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