exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

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

Synonyms

• 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

Overworking can actually lead to diminishing returns, where exhaustion causes mistakes and reduces efficiency. —Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Working too many hours can also contribute to burnout, a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term work stress. —Louis Tay, The Conversation, 15 Aug. 2025

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms of Valley fever include: Cough Fever Pain in the chest Fatigue or a constant feeling of exhaustion Who is most at risk for Valley fever? Valley fever gets its name from California’s San Joaquin Valley. —Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025

People have passed the point of exhaustion with permissive policies that too often make the well-being of the public at large a secondary concern at best. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 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