BURN OUT Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

burnout 1 of 2

noun

ˈbərn-ˌau̇t

Definition of burnout

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

burn out

2 of 2

verb

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

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 burnout

Noun

Lucas Bravo is also in talks to play a famous actor suffering from burnout. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 July 2026 In a sport where mental fortitude is vital, checking in with herself is second nature for Merhige and preventing burnout is a core objective. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

Verb

The pressure was the main catalyst to burning out, just talking about me personally. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 Another method is to cut off oxygen to the fire by using a snuffing lid, then let the fire burn out naturally. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for burnout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnout

Noun

Competing demands — for example, from illness, injury, or chronic stress — can appear not only as poor health, but also as negative conscious experiences such as anxiety, brain fog, and exhaustion.

— Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
Barrett said the goal is for the justices to have as large a security detail as those dedicated to Cabinet members, in part to avoid burnout and exhaustion among the four to eight officers typically assigned to each justice.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

If testosterone levels are too low, at any age, this can lead to muscle and bone weakness, fatigue, and decline in libido.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Warning signs worth flagging to a doctor include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, severe daytime fatigue, persistent low mood, rapid heart rate and unexplained weight changes.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Definition of fatigue

Verb

During the first four months of 2026 alone, drone strikes killed at least 880 civilians and accounted for more than 80% of civilian deaths recorded by the UN.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
The fire killed 168 people, most likely because of unscrupulous contractors who used shoddy materials.

— New York Times, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of kill

Verb

With little time to recover on the ball, such sequences only serve to exhaust Argentina, running low on energy to exert such pressure themselves.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 July 2026
This rule doesn’t apply to the high school class of 2022, many of whom exhausted their NCAA eligibility with the 2025-26 season.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

In other words, an evening session does not just tire you out.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
The game slows not only because bodies tire more quickly, but because players begin pacing themselves earlier — conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of tire

Verb

The shattered standing forlornly by the podium at the end of a draining tournament, hearts broken, bodies exhausted, having to watch as the opposition receive the reward that England were agonisingly close to.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Ryan Fox took home the Claret Jug after draining a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Several of the houses have a special person on staff just for the barrels, a cooper who manufactures and replaces the slats that have worn out.

— Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Relaxed pants like this pair are perfect for a long bus tour through the countryside or for wearing out to dinner—they’ll look polished without feeling uncomfortable.

— Erin Cavoto, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026

Definition of wear out

Browse Nearby Words

burnooses

burnout

burn out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnout. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of burnout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes