as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
people in that job often suffer burnout and have to retire at a relatively early age
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burnout
Audrina Sinclair, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, traumatic stress that develops while observing and listening to traumatized students has not been widely publicized and often is confused with burnout.
—Bruce Plopper, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Families are aging, caregivers are burning out, and too many people are forced into crisis placements or inappropriate settings because suitable housing options simply do not exist.
—Fay Lenz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnout
Noun
In fact, nationwide burnout rates dropped 30% for doctors using this type of AI, according to the JAMA Network Open.
—Audrina Sinclair, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, traumatic stress that develops while observing and listening to traumatized students has not been widely publicized and often is confused with burnout.
—Bruce Plopper, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Leaders ‒ and particularly introverts ‒ who ignore those realities tend to burn out.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Families are aging, caregivers are burning out, and too many people are forced into crisis placements or inappropriate settings because suitable housing options simply do not exist.
—Fay Lenz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnout
Noun
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Combining heavy amounts of alcohol on top of exhaustion and a lack of food, Sullivan blacked out.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
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In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With only 12 weeks to pull together a wardrobe for the cast, and few of Jones’s old clothing in the archives, Rowe recreated some historical looks— such as the infamous red penguin-print pajama set (a version of the pajama top is worn by Jones on a school run in the new film).—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The Cowboy Carter artist shared yet another set of images on Instagram from the 2026 Super Bowl, this time wearing a long brown coat with a matching hat and blue jeans.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of those benefits are reduction in swelling and inflammation, pain relief, lowering of stress levels and fatigue.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Valvular heart disease, in which one more of the heart's valves don't function properly, can make the heart work harder and, over time, lead to conditions like chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Democrats demanded new restrictions on federal immigration agents in exchange for voting to fund DHS after Alex Pretti was killed last month in Minneapolis.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Cuba said 32 of its citizens were killed in the attack.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is particularly important when air-drying laundry, taking a shower, cooking, or cleaning, and it should be done even in kitchens and bathrooms with ventilation systems that exhaust directly to the outdoors.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
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Sources stressed the request for help from Mexico was to exhaust all options but there is not any clear evidence suggesting either Guthrie or the kidnappers are there.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The strategy that King decided on at the last minute was to hang back, lobbing softballs to create long volleys that would tire Riggs out.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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That led to a more open contest, and as legs began to tire and City spurned their own chances on the break, the momentum slowly turned Chelsea’s way.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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CEOs are struggling to switch off, Ko says, and making high-stakes decisions while their mental batteries are drained.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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This was an adaptation of the 1906 novel about the meatpacking industry by Upton Sinclair; famously, Lookingglass actors hung by their heels, depicting the draining carcasses of the Chicago Stockyards.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Towels and bathmats that are old, worn out, or very basic can drag down the overall aesthetic of a bathroom.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
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User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnout. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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