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

So this overproduction led to a lot of overwork and exhaustion. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 May 2026

Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and allow yourself to feel everything—grief, love, exhaustion, pride. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

The regime’s fall could mark the exhaustion of Islamism as a political force — the latest in a line of Middle Eastern ideologies that overpromised and catastrophically underdelivered. —Danielle Pletka, Washington Post, 1 May 2026

It was determined Megan had suffered from extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction, and low metabolic levels. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 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