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

Trade timing & outlook After breaking out to new all-time highs, momentum appears overextended, and signs of buyer exhaustion suggest a potential pullback. —Tony Zhang, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025

With storms closing in, dwindling fuel, and a panicked, pregnant passenger at the controls, Braden must talk her through an impossible landing while fighting his own exhaustion, guilt, and unraveling personal life. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025

Parents with unhealthy attachment styles are at higher risk of parental burnout—including emotional exhaustion and a need to distance themselves from their children—a new study has found. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

So the physical exhaustion afterwards took me by surprise. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 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