burnout 1 of 2

noun

ˈbərn-ˌau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
Definition of burnoutnext
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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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
Experts and former officials have warned that the trend could place more stress on the ships and lead to burnout among sailors or even push some to leave the Navy altogether. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026 Prebula worries about burnout among staffers, who are handling the crisis on top of their daily workload. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
And in British Columbia, Canada, which borders Washington, the Bald Range Fire burned out of control, nearly doubling overnight as residents raced out. — Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 These new ones don’t need fluorescent lights to illuminate them at night, therefore no catwalks for workers to change out burned out bulbs. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burnout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnout
  1. exhaustion
  2. wear
  3. fatigue
  4. kill
  5. exhaust
  6. tire
  7. drain
  8. wear out
Noun
  • And Software Finder’s survey found that nearly half of workers who fake productivity say the pressure to appear busy has contributed to their burnout or exhaustion.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress that leaves people feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and unable to keep up with ongoing demands.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Verb
  • The Buc-ee’s beaver logo features the face of a beaver with prominent buck teeth wearing a red ball cap against a yellow backdrop.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That same day, hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse where Clancy is standing trial, wearing bright pink, in an attempt to raise awareness around maternal mental health.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of wear
Noun
  • In melanoma patients, Keytruda treatment can result in fatigue, diarrhea, rash and inflammation of joints and muscles, as well as of healthy organs in some cases.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The product is intended for people navigating screen-heavy workdays, mental fatigue, travel, irregular routines, or periods of rest before returning to focused tasks.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fatigue
Verb
  • Last week, prosecutors attempted to use electronic materials to lay out their theory that Clancy premeditated killing her three children.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Police have said that’s exactly what Fernandez Saldana tried to do in hiring a man to shoot and kill Bridegan.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • Travelers are exhausted by the friction of commercial travel.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The performances were much needed for a team trying to avoid exhausting its pitching staff by October.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 16 Aug. 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
  • Avoid the temptation to drain your savings to make a larger down payment.
    — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • The conditions could help them, given the pitches will be worn out and tired after the heatwave that has gripped the United Kingdom, but few Pakistani supporters will believe their team can win.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This is a sign that internal parts like your clutch or transmission bands are wearing out.
    — Michael Kurko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wear out

Browse Nearby Words

burnooses
burnout
burn out
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Cite this Entry

“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnout. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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