exhaust

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exhaust distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of exhaust are fatigue, jade, tire, and weary. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

In what contexts can fatigue take the place of exhaust?

Although the words fatigue and exhaust have much in common, fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

When can jade be used instead of exhaust?

The words jade and exhaust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When could tire be used to replace exhaust?

The meanings of tire and exhaust largely overlap; however, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

Where would weary be a reasonable alternative to exhaust?

While in some cases nearly identical to exhaust, weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

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 exhaust But state officials knew those ARPA dollars would be exhausted by 2026 and that using them to cover recurring expenses was a ticking fiscal time bomb, a huge hole that eventually would have to be filled some other way. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025 The latter has now exhausted all medical-scientific solutions, facing a recurrence of cancer expected to be terminal. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2025 Can anyone stop Cooper? USD’s top five tacklers exhausted their eligibility. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025 Foote said applications will be processed until the funds are exhausted. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust
Verb
  • Waves in rapid succession can tire swimmers quickly.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
  • Physical and mental stimulation are both great ways to tire puppies out and prepare them to spend the evening in their kennel at home.
    Jennifer Williams, CBS News, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Design can nudge employees toward better creativity, recovery, and well-being, or leave them drained.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Treating the condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Here is a closer look at what the Jayhawks will be wearing in that game.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Mom, 40, with blonde hair wearing white shirt speaking to camera for TikTok video.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • On Friday, the 27-year-old actress, who has not publicly commented on the ad or its mixed reception, shared a carousel of photos on Instagram in which she was seen rocking a pair of oversized blue jeans and a white lace-front crop top while spending a night out at a bar with friends.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Soon after, another hurdle appeared: a recurring inguinal hernia that led to frequent hospital visits, including spending Christmas Day in the emergency room.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Weather systems Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter were classified as tropical storms earlier this year, as Barry caused flooding in southeastern Mexico and Central Texas, where flooding killed more than 130 people.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Desperate Housewives starred Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan as five women — mostly friends — living on Wisteria Lane, who begin uncovering dark secrets after their neighbor Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong) kills herself.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Tailgating or consuming alcohol in the festival parking lot is prohibited and will be strictly enforced.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Together, these two foods accounted for nearly one in every seven calories consumed in the average American diet, according to the CDC report.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That same day, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, shared a photo of one of the victims in the attack, showing a woman with several injuries to her face – including a black eye and busted lip.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The goal is to provide comfort fare but without commercial interruption and without busting budgets.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Judge Kevin McDonough reduced Dennis' bond to $20,000.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The vertical design helps minimize the risk of injury from RSI and reduces muscle tension in the arm for more comfort throughout the working day.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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