Meaning & use
tireless
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Never becoming tired, especially through continuous hard work or effort.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be', 'seem', 'remain'. Not usually used with 'very' or in comparative forms.
Patterns
- tireless worker
- tireless efforts
- tireless in something
- be tireless
She was a tireless campaigner for children's rights.
His tireless efforts finally paid off when the project was approved.
The volunteers remained tireless despite the long hours.
Common combinations
- tireless worker
- He is a tireless worker who never misses a deadline.
- tireless efforts
- Her tireless efforts to improve the school were recognized by the community.
- tireless campaigner
- The tireless campaigner traveled the country to raise awareness.
- tireless in
- She was tireless in her pursuit of justice.
- tireless dedication
- His tireless dedication to the team inspired everyone.
Synonyms and how they differ
- indefatigable
- More formal and literary than 'tireless'; often used in writing about someone's energy over a long period.
- untiring
- Very similar to 'tireless' but less common; it also means never becoming tired.
- energetic
- Focuses on having a lot of energy, not necessarily on never getting tired; can describe a person or activity.
- relentless
- Can be negative, suggesting no stopping even if it harms others; 'tireless' is usually approving.
Opposites
Word family
- tirelessly adverb
- In a tireless way; without stopping or getting tired.
- tirelessness noun
- The quality of never becoming tired.
- tired adjective
- Needing rest or sleep; the opposite of feeling energetic.
- tire verb
- To become tired or to make someone tired.
Commonly confused: tireless or tired? tireless or tiresome?
tireless vs tired
'Tired' means feeling the need for rest; 'tireless' means never feeling that need. They are near opposites.
tireless vs tiresome
'Tiresome' means annoying or boring; 'tireless' means never getting tired.
Practice
Choose the best word: 'Despite working for twelve hours, she remained ___ and continued to help.'
Choose one answer.
The sentence says she continued to help after long hours, so 'tireless' (never getting tired) fits. 'Tired' would mean she needed rest, 'tiresome' means annoying, and 'tiring' describes something that makes you tired.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tireless”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.