Bleary

Describing a state of impaired vision, or a dulled mental or emotional state, often caused by tiredness, lack of sleep, illness, or intoxication. A person or object described as bleary appears hazy, unfocused, and as though seen through a film or fog. It extends beyond just the eyes to encompass a general sense of disorientation, cloudiness, and diminished clarity in perception, thought, or feeling. This can apply to physical sensations as well as abstract concepts like 'bleary understanding'.

Bleary meaning with examples

• After three sleepless nights studying for exams, Sarah’s bleary eyes struggled to focus on the textbook. Her head throbbed, and every word seemed to swim before her.
• The early morning commuter, with bleary vision and a weary sigh, slowly stumbled aboard the train, seeking a moment of rest and a cup of coffee to start their day.
• The old, dusty photograph showed a group of children with bleary looks standing for a moment while their photo was taken; their expressions were weary and tired.
• Following the emotional upheaval, she felt a bleary detachment from the world, struggling to process the events as they swirled past.
• Despite the warm sunshine and the stunning landscape, the bleary aftereffects of a fever made it hard for the hiker to properly appreciate the view from the summit.