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
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
Jamilee Hoglind, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
Survival mode and burnout soon followed.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The arson attack, which burnt out the synagogue’s library and destroyed two of its Torahs, was not the first time that Beth Israel’s congregants were faced with the task of rebuilding.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnout
Noun
Avoiding burnout isn’t about doing less.
—Jamilee Hoglind, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
Survival mode and burnout soon followed.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Tears shed by frustrated children, burned out and exhausted.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The arson attack, which burnt out the synagogue’s library and destroyed two of its Torahs, was not the first time that Beth Israel’s congregants were faced with the task of rebuilding.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnout
Noun
-
That exhaustion after meetings that drain rather than energize you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Managing the logistics of displacement is further complicated by endless paperwork, insurance claims, Federal Emergency Management Agency forms and the exhaustion of grief.—
Tara Anne Dalbow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Adding onto the wear-and-tear element was that Monday’s game was a back-to-back, one caused by Saturday’s matchup being postponed to Sunday after a federal immigration agent shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The suspect is described as a man about six feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The most common symptoms of colorectal cancer include persistent changes in bowel habits, unfinished bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in stool, abdominal pain or discomfort, unexplained weight loss and fatigue.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Positive research on hydrogen water is in animals, while human studies showing a beneficial impact on oxidative stress, athletic recovery and reduced fatigue have been extremely small — 10 to 50 people.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
State television reported that Niger's forces responded quickly to the assault early Thursday, killing 20 of the attackers and arresting 11 others.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Banfield took the stand in his own defense, acknowledging the affair with Peres Magalhães that started in August 2022 but denied any plans to kill his wife.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On its upward climb, the SLS will quickly exhaust the fuel in all six of its first-stage engines, and they will be jettisoned, leaving only the rocket's upper stage and the Orion spacecraft to reach orbit.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Introverts have social batteries that will drain over time, but they can be recharged with good energy hygiene.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Stop forcing yourself into formats that drain you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This practice distributes the wear and tear evenly, so no single pillow gets overly compressed or worn out too quickly.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnout. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
