Definition of exhaustnext

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 The person with the least votes after each round is eliminated, with ballots reapportioned or exhausted until the winner clears 50%. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 On the third bike was Jenny Brookes, Zero's senior global brand manager, who rode a standard DSR/X adventure bike for approximately 239 miles (384 km) before exhausting its battery. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Fans care about rivalries among teams made up of students who generally progress through college and exhaust their eligibility alongside their classmates, rather than athletes whose college careers extend well beyond the traditional timeline. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The average worker is taking longer to find a new job, and that means more people are exhausting their unemployment benefits before any new paychecks begin. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust
Verb
  • The victim continues to experience symptoms from the poisoning, including not being able to focus, tiring easily and a loss of sensation in his left hand, Gomelsky said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The alleged victim continues to experience symptoms from the poisoning, including not being able to focus, tiring easily and a loss of sensation in his left hand, Gomelsky said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Be sure to drain the olives, mushrooms, and use a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery dip.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The company’s first product was the Ruffle Power Pareo, which can be worn as a pareo or a skirt and remains one of their bestsellers.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Bee Frontier can be worn as a Fitbit-like band on the wrist or as a clip-on pin.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The frontman said he was humbled by the action and was touched to spend time with members of the Minneapolis community who worked on the front lines during the ICE surge.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI, for example, expects to spend more than $25 billion on training alone this year.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Hundreds of Palestinians have been attacked and a few have been killed this olive harvest alone, which started in late September, rights groups have said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Police were investigating what caused the pickup truck to barrel through a soccer field, killing a man and a child.
    — Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Contemplation of this tax — which produced $384 million in the last fiscal year — has consumed endless hours of work from some of the county’s most respected leaders, and drawn earnest public testimony from dozens of people.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • So much about our elections is being decided now by people who are actively trying not to consume political news.
    — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On Monday, the soldiers were still missing, leading to an aggressive search by angry gang-force soldiers who busted the gate of a local business searching for gang members and flew over the area in helicopters.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Almost busting my hand on the ceiling watching Kirk Gibson's HR off Eckersley.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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