as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out
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Recent Examples of burning out
High school coaches cut back on mileage and intensity in response to charges that runners were burning out in their teens.
—
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
All that, in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers to keep the final embers of the Red Wings’ playoff hopes from burning out.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The fire broke out for a short time before burning out by itself, police said, adding that no one was injured.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 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
This approach is gaining traction across sales, partnerships, and customer success teams, where professionals face constant pressure to be responsive without burning out.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Slowing down the rate at which heat left the bulb prevented the filament from burning out as quickly.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Layoff anxiety is driving side hustles, and some side hustlers are burning out trying to get a business off the ground or taking on too many side hustles.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
All that, in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers to keep the final embers of the Red Wings’ playoff hopes from burning out.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The fire broke out for a short time before burning out by itself, police said, adding that no one was injured.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 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
This approach is gaining traction across sales, partnerships, and customer success teams, where professionals face constant pressure to be responsive without burning out.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Slowing down the rate at which heat left the bulb prevented the filament from burning out as quickly.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Layoff anxiety is driving side hustles, and some side hustlers are burning out trying to get a business off the ground or taking on too many side hustles.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burning out
Verb
-
One image showed Alba enjoying a more casual meal with her pal while wearing an LA baseball cap.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Emma Bailey Leary, who manages events for Bart’s Books, the town’s storied outdoor bookshop, wandered in wearing head-to-toe fuchsia.—
Priyanka Mattoo,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Minutes later, Marrero slammed into Trainor's unmarked SUV, killing both men.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
His support of wolves, including a Mexican wolf breeding program on the Ladder Ranch in New Mexico, drew the ire of ranching organizations that were raising the alarm about wild wolves killing livestock.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Martinez on Thursday did not discuss details of the plan but said the city was exhausting all its options while seeking more ways to cut costs.—
Abby Church,
Houston Chronicle,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In some ways, the Wolfpack were already destined for a reset, with veterans like Tre Holloman, Darrion Williams, Quadir Copeland and Ven-Allen Lubin all exhausting their eligibility.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These design aspects allow users to operate it for extended periods without tiring or switching between different power outlets.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This helps each step feel lighter and easier, diminishing fatigue and letting the wearer venture out farther without tiring.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Communities across the Upper Midwest are cleaning up after tornadoes and severe weather impacted the region over the weekend, damaging and destroying dozens of homes and knocking out power for tens of thousands.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The two teams avoided each other last postseason, with the Oklahoma City Thunder knocking out the Nuggets on their way to the Western Conference finals.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As plastics break down, whether that be through washing polyester clothing or wearing out our tires, microscopic particles of plastic shed, small enough to be picked up and transported by the air.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
7 May 2026
-
If a device frequently drops connection and can be fixed with a wiggle, there’s a good chance something is wearing out in the cable.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Andrew Tate is not washing out.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Succulents require a well-draining soil with a lightweight texture.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
-
Plant in fast-draining potting soil, and give full sun and moderate water.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burning out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burning%20out. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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