burnout

1 of 2

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
Synonyms of burnout
1
: the cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine
also : the point at which burnout occurs
2
a
: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
b
: a person suffering from burnout
3
: a person showing the effects of drug abuse

burn out

2 of 2

verb

burned out or burnt out; burning out; burns out

transitive verb

1
: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire
2
: to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted especially from overwork or overuse

intransitive verb

: to suffer burnout

Synonyms of burnout

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of burnout in a Sentence

Noun Teaching can be very stressful, and many teachers eventually suffer burnout. the burnout rate among teachers a novel about academic burnouts Verb working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
When someone on your team is struggling with burnout, a manager’s job, a career pivot or a hard season of life, the highest-leverage intervention available is a conversation with a skilled human who is trained for exactly that. — Jordan Dunin, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 But that won't necessarily help workers keep their jobs, Cappelli and Rousseau say, and can instead fuel burnout, especially if workers are doing it for months or years before companies reveal the specifics of the job cuts. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
But the more important story is that the Party has ignited a longer-term conflagration, which is on the cusp of burning out of control. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Godrich was attempting to move toward retirement, and Harrison was burnt out. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burnout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burnout was in 1710

Rhymes for burnout

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Browse Nearby Words

burnoose
burnout
burn out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burnout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burnout. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

burnout

1 of 2 noun
burn·​out ˈbər-ˌnau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
1
: the ending of operation of a jet or rocket engine as a result of the using up or shutting off of fuel
2
: the point in a flight at which burnout occurs
3
: exhaustion of one's bodily or mental strength

burn out

2 of 2 verb
1
: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire
2
: to cause to wear out or become exhausted

Medical Definition

burnout

noun
burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t How to pronounce burnout (audio)
1
a
: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
b
: a person affected with burnout
2
: a person showing the effects of drug abuse
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