fatigue 1 of 2

verb

Definition of fatiguenext
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of the rescue workers pressed on, though their efforts to reach the miners had almost completely fatigued them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fatigue

2 of 2

noun

fə-ˈtēg How to pronounce fatigue (audio)
1
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength the day-long battle against the blaze left firefighters in a state of utter fatigue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in effort
very hard or unpleasant work although he had joined the army for action and adventure, much of his day seemed to be devoted to mindless fatigues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fatigue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fatigue are exhaust, jade, tire, and weary. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

When can exhaust be used instead of fatigue?

While in some cases nearly identical to fatigue, exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

When could jade be used to replace fatigue?

The words jade and fatigue can be used in similar contexts, but jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When is tire a more appropriate choice than fatigue?

Although the words tire and fatigue have much in common, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

When might weary be a better fit than fatigue?

While the synonyms weary and fatigue are close in meaning, 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 fatigue
Verb
Ultimately, Ultra Veil is his attempt to redefine a new luxury for himself and, potentially, for an audience fatigued by surface-level luxury, and propose a different kind of brand-consumer relationship. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 During perimenopause, as estrogen plummets, that production pathway goes into hyperdrive, which quickly fatigues the fibroblasts, cells in the connective tissue tasked with making collagen. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
The company’s Pyrad defense uniforms guard against heat and flames while remaining lightweight and breathable, with the goal of reducing fatigue in military and law enforcement personnel. — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Other medications are used to treat acute relapses or manage symptoms such as fatigue, walking difficulties, spasticity and bladder problems. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fatigue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatigue
  1. wear
  2. exhaustion
  3. effort
  4. tire
  5. collapse
  6. labor
  7. kill
  8. sweat
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
Definition of wear
Noun
  • 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
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • The president talked up Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins as part of the White House effort to boost GOP enthusiasm in the upcoming elections.
    — DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of effort
Verb
  • The point is not to tire yourself out, just to feel your body getting warm.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
  • While the concept has always had Fox shocks, it was first seen with Maxxis rubber, and subsequently with Schwalbe Tacky Chan downhill tires on DT Swiss wheels last year.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tire
Noun
  • The study does not establish that every future change is irreversible or that Thwaites must accelerate toward total collapse.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • David Waldowski Laguna Woods The excuses for the Dodgers collapse flew off the page minutes after the last out of Game 4.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of collapse
Noun
  • Council members would also have to waive the city’s 10-day public posting requirement for labor agreements — a move requiring a two-thirds vote.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The longtime community and labor organizer has been an outspoken progressive voice in the state legislature since she was elected in 2020.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of labor
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
Definition of kill
Noun
  • Sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, and product buildup can accumulate over time, which is why effective cleansing is an essential part of the scalp’s wellbeing.
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The outerwear, pants, shorts, sweats and T-shirts are created from high-end materials but designed to be classic and quiet.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of sweat

Browse Nearby Words

fathoms
fatigue
fatigued
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Cite this Entry

“Fatigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatigue. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fatigue

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fatigue

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