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 He and four other long-term prisoners were freed because state attorneys whose offices originally convicted them now have conviction review units to hear pleas from convicts who had exhausted their appeals in the courts. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025 Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025 In summary: The Hurricanes had to replace both of their starting safeties from 2024 after Mishael Powell exhausted his collegiate eligibility and Jaden Harris transferred to Georgia. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025 The choice is whether to exhaust yourself trying to conduct every note or to lay down a rhythm that enables your entire team to create something extraordinary together. Michael Hudson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust
Verb
  • Procedures at the clinic sometimes ran through the night—the record for the latest was four in the morning—but Terrazas never seemed to tire.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • Waves in rapid succession can tire swimmers quickly.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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
  • Talent, people said, was draining out of the doubles discipline; still, the level of the game remained high, and many fans are devoted to it.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Banks was described as wearing a black knit hat, black sweatshirt, black pants, and a face mask.
    Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Boot Barn is the largest western and work wear retailer in the nation, according to Boot Barn Marketing Specialist Tanna Doyel.
    Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • More than 2,000 filmmakers, technicians, audio experts and AI creatives spent two years reilluminating Dorothy Gale’s adventure into a gleaming spectacle that will move you – literally and emotionally.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
  • With just three weeks to pull it all together, Bella spent countless hours working on the set, costumes and props.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The other two students who were killed were Mogen’s childhood best friend Kaylee Goncalves and Chapin’s girlfriend, Xana Kernodle.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The shooting killed two children and injured more than a dozen people.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Every yes consumes capacity that could have gone to something else.
    Andrea Hill, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • And for the first time, his mind wasn’t consumed with basketball.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That’s why Republicans passed their deficit busting billionaire bailout budget in the dead of night.
    Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
  • However, boom turned to bust in the 2010s as global commodity prices plunged.
    Mollie J. Cohen, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Work Ethic Camp was opened in 2001 and initially designed to reduce prison overcrowding, according to a Nebraska legislative report, providing the incarcerated with life skills training, substance abuse treatment and work experience.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • According to Chen, China can reduce this tension by more clearly distinguishing policy and commercial lending, including by establishing separate financial accounts for the two activities.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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