exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən 

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

Synonyms of exhaustion

• fatigue

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

This is a war film in style and substance, emphasizing the mental exhaustion of a country that cannot handle any more carnage. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Grief brings a lot of physical exhaustion with mental exhaustion. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026

Early symptoms can include exhaustion, weakness, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

But for decades, scientists didn’t understand the neural underpinnings of cognitive exhaustion. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 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