exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

Synonyms of exhaustion

• fatigue

Examples of exhaustion in a Sentence

He worked to the point of complete exhaustion.

the exhaustion of our natural resources

Recent Examples on the Web

Security by exhaustion The internet is held together with shoestring and bubblegum. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Change fatigue is a state of exhaustion workers may experience after going through many changes at their employer. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

There is a specific exhaustion that comes from caring for people with unnamed conditions across many years. — Miranda Pappas, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026

Clients are asking how to lead alongside AI, make decisions with incomplete information and help teams adapt without creating exhaustion. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exhaustion

• heat exhaustion

Rhymes for exhaustion

• faustian

Kids Definition

exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

1

: the act of exhausting

2

: the state of being exhausted

Medical Definition

exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

1

: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

suffered from physical and mental exhaustion

see heat exhaustion

2

: neurosis following overstrain or overexertion especially in military combat

Legal Definition

exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion

: the act or process of exhausting

even after the exhaustion of direct appellate review

—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel

specifically : exhaustion of remedies