spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

a

: used up : consumed

b

: exhausted of active or required components or qualities often for a particular purpose

spent nuclear fuel

2

: drained of energy or effectiveness : exhausted

3

: exhausted of spawn or sperm

spent fishes

Synonyms

• exhausted
• tired
• drained
• done
• weary

Examples of spent in a Sentence

he plopped down in his chair, completely spent, and then fell asleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Days are slower, spent reading, swimming in Lake Zurich or traveling with her partner to places like Brazil and Australia. —Mike Winters tasia Jensen, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

The weapon contained three unfired rounds and one spent cartridge, but no shell casings were found at the rooftop where the fatal shot was believed to have been fired. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

The sources said a spent cartridge was discovered in the chamber of the gun. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025

The Lloyd’s report notes challenges such as creating robust safeguards and disposing of spent fuel, not to mention deciding on acceptable radiation dose limits for crew and operating in ecologically sensitive areas. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of spenden to spend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spent

• a spent force
• well spent

Rhymes for spent

• bent
• blent
• cent
• ent
• fent
• lent
• meant
• pent
• rent
• rente
• scent
• sent

Kids Definition

spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

: used up

2

: drained of energy