exhaust

¹ex·haust

verb \ig-ˈzȯst\

Definition of EXHAUST

transitive verb

1

a : to consume entirely : use up <exhausted our funds in a week> b : to tire extremely or completely <exhausted by overwork> c : to deprive of a valuable quality or constituent <exhaust a photographic developer> <exhaust a soil of fertility>

2

a : to draw off or let out completely b : to empty by drawing off the contents; specifically : to create a vacuum in

3

a : to consider or discuss (a subject) thoroughly or completely b : to try out the whole number of <exhausted all the possibilities>

intransitive verb

: discharge, empty <the engine exhausts through the muffler>

— ex·haust·er noun

— ex·haust·ibil·i·ty \-ˌzȯ-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ex·haust·ible \-ˈzȯ-stə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of EXHAUST

1. If they keep spending this way, they'll exhaust their savings.
2. He can talk about baseball for hours and still feel that he hasn't exhausted the subject .

Origin of EXHAUST

Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire, from ex- + haurire to draw; akin to Middle High German œsen to empty, Greek auein to take

First Known Use: 1531

Related to EXHAUST

Synonyms: break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, fag, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary, wear to a frazzle

Antonyms: renew, replace

Related Words: debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, waste, weaken

Near Antonyms: activate, energize, invigorate, rejuvenate, strengthen, vitalize; relax, rest, unwind

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at deplete, tire

Rhymes with EXHAUST

accost, at cost, defrost, hoarfrost, Jack Frost, prime cost, star-crossed