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 To ensure the latest conflict ends with Iran’s nuclear capabilities getting wiped out, some Republicans argue the U.S. needs to step in with the bombers and bunker busters and target the Fordow site if other options are exhausted. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 June 2025 Stellar-mass black holes, which are 10 to 100 times heftier than the sun, are created when massive stars exhaust their nuclear fuel an die, collapsing to trigger huge supernova explosions. Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 June 2025 So perhaps McIlroy is just exhausted by the whole thing. Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 15 June 2025 In the new workplace, don’t exhaust yourself to win over everyone. Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust
Verb
  • Runs in them were short, quick bursts, relishing the feeling of power transferring through my feet but being careful not to tire and start clunking.
    Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
  • During the first few weeks after surgery, your eyelids are likely to tire faster than usual.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The Army Corps’ solution was to take a meandering 103-mile river that snaked through one of the wildest areas in the state, drain it, and carve it into a ruler-straight, 56-mile 30-foot-deep canal dubbed the C-38 — not exactly fodder for the tourism board.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • In such situations, when a client has the resources and the inclination to go round after round, small municipalities have to decide whether to settle or stand on principle, draining their budget.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • He was last seen wearing blue headphones, a blue surgical mask, a black North Face jacket, light-wash camo pants and gray sneakers.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
  • There are a few family members who only wear olive, mustard, khaki, black and other dull colors; clunky, unattractive shoes; and few accessories.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Her son died six days later, on Thanksgiving Day, after spending nearly a week in a coma.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Amos has led Aflac for 35 years and has spent more than five decades at the company his family founded.
    Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said that another 88 people have been killed by Israeli fire over the past 24 hours, raising the war’s toll among Palestinians to 56,500.
    Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Close to 18% of people who regularly eat fruits reported better sleep, along with 12% of people who consume a lot of vegetables, and 13% of people who drink herbal tea.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 July 2025
  • The company has consistently consumed cash while struggling to scale production within the competitive semiconductor landscape.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Global markets are trying to ascertain what lays ahead after the U.S. struck key Iranian nuclear facilities with a barrage of 30,000-pound bunker busting bombs and Tomahawk missiles.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • However, the scheduling feature was busted in the March update.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • To reduce background noise when making phone calls or joining in with a video meeting, Headphone (1) has a 4-microphone ENC system that’s backed up by AI.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As part of its strategy to reduce cancer rates, the European Commission aims to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of the EU population by 2040.
    Lisa Klaassen, CNN Money, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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