BURN OUT Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

burnout 1 of 2

noun

ˈbərn-ˌau̇t

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

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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

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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

McDonnell and other police officials have said staffing shortages are limiting the department’s ability to respond quickly to low-level crimes, leading to high officer burnout rates, and driving up overtime expenses. —

Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 To hear health systems tell the story, artificial intelligence tools like ambient scribes are helping not only reduce doctor burnout, but also increasing payments from insurers that haven’t been compensating them properly. —

Brittany Trang, STAT, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

Much of the debris is piled and burned out of fire season. —

Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026 That hire lasts maybe 14 months because whatever burned out your last VP is still there. —

Kristien Turner, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burnout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnout

Noun

When John begins spitting out his food, his mother, Heather (Shirley Henderson), worn down by exhaustion and anger, banishes him from the dinner table—the first in an unceasing series of maternal rejections.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Sepideh Moafi is incredible in this scene, perfectly hitting every note of the anger, fear, and exhaustion Al-Hashimi is feeling.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026