exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
Synonyms of exhaustion
: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

Synonyms of exhaustion

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Examples of exhaustion in a Sentence

He worked to the point of complete exhaustion. the exhaustion of our natural resources
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.
Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 Tina testified for an hour before fainting from exhaustion, returning later that day for a second round of questioning. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026 In court Monday, Barnes said the incident stemmed from a combination of exhaustion and a medical crisis. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 Keeping others before oneself to the point of absolute exhaustion. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhaustion

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhaustion was in 1615

Phrases Containing exhaustion

Rhymes for exhaustion

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Browse Nearby Words

exhaustible
exhaustion
exhaustive
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Cite this Entry

“Exhaustion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhaustion. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
1
: the act of exhausting
2
: the state of being exhausted

Medical Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
1
: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted
suffered from physical and mental exhaustion
see heat exhaustion
2
: neurosis following overstrain or overexertion especially in military combat

Legal Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion
: the act or process of exhausting
even after the exhaustion of direct appellate review—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
specifically : exhaustion of remedies

More from Merriam-Webster on exhaustion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exhaustion

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