exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

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

Synonyms of exhaustion

• fatigue
• collapse

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

Knight ducked her head and smiled when the medal was hung around her neck, her face a mix of pride and exhaustion. —Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

This stagnation could be driven by the exhaustion of training data; a shortage of electricity to power massive data centers; or a shortage of capital. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

While a certain amount of planning and foresight can be helpful, sometimes doing more just increases anxiety and exhaustion. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Feb. 2026

At the end of the race, some collapsed from exhaustion. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 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