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

The pain goes deeper than exhaustion. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Men tumble into each other, frantically fighting to get back up, while others faint from exhaustion. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025

Another issue across Europe, more generally, is that people are retiring earlier, citing burnout and general exhaustion, a trend affecting the entire working population. —Alex Ledsom, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

There is nothing left now but rhythm and exhaustion and raw emotion and stardust bursting out of you. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 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