exhaust

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exhaust distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of exhaust are fatigue, jade, tire, and weary. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

In what contexts can fatigue take the place of exhaust?

Although the words fatigue and exhaust have much in common, fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

When can jade be used instead of exhaust?

The words jade and exhaust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When could tire be used to replace exhaust?

The meanings of tire and exhaust largely overlap; however, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

Where would weary be a reasonable alternative to exhaust?

While in some cases nearly identical to exhaust, weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exhaust But state officials knew those ARPA dollars would be exhausted by 2026 and that using them to cover recurring expenses was a ticking fiscal time bomb, a huge hole that eventually would have to be filled some other way. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025 The latter has now exhausted all medical-scientific solutions, facing a recurrence of cancer expected to be terminal. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2025 Can anyone stop Cooper? USD’s top five tacklers exhausted their eligibility. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025 Foote said applications will be processed until the funds are exhausted. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust
Verb
  • Procedures at the clinic sometimes ran through the night—the record for the latest was four in the morning—but Terrazas never seemed to tire.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • Waves in rapid succession can tire swimmers quickly.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • Design can nudge employees toward better creativity, recovery, and well-being, or leave them drained.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Treating the condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • There will be a moment’s silence held at all Premier League matches this weekend, with players also wearing black armbands.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Here is a closer look at what the Jayhawks will be wearing in that game.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ignore for a moment that spending consecutive weeks in Ireland and England is likely to drain the team of energy.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Beijing has long lacked the enforcement procedures to crack down on investors who spend at least half the year in China but evade a 20% tax on overseas income.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The storm killed more than 400 people and caused more than $100 million in damage, or $2.3 billion in today’s dollars.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And for the first time, his mind wasn’t consumed with basketball.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Every yes consumes capacity that could have gone to something else.
    Andrea Hill, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That’s why Republicans passed their deficit busting billionaire bailout budget in the dead of night.
    Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Entering his fourth varsity season, the 4A all-state returnee (2,782 career rush yards, 33 TDs) has the speed to burst outside, the power to grind out yards between the tackles, and the wiggle to bust loose on any carry.
    Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Work Ethic Camp was opened in 2001 and initially designed to reduce prison overcrowding, according to a Nebraska legislative report, providing the incarcerated with life skills training, substance abuse treatment and work experience.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The bacterium, residing harmlessly in the guts of laboratory and fetal mice, reduced accumulation of mercury, the researchers said.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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