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

Though the plan didn't work out then, Beardsley says the key difference now is the exhaustion and heavy losses felt after four years of conflict. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Nov. 2025

Some of us have fallen ill, been hospitalized, or pushed through exhaustion while receiving only three to four hours of sleep each night. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

These include frequent unexplained injuries, chronic lack of supervision, new adults entering the home without explanation, ongoing exhaustion after transitions, or a child who suddenly seems fearful or withdrawn. —Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025

The job proved so vast that Bottin ended up in hospital with exhaustion. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025

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