exhaust

[ig-zawst]

verb (used with object)

1. to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person.

   I have exhausted myself working.

   Synonyms: debilitate, prostrate, enervate, tire
   Antonyms: invigorate, strengthen

2. to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of.

   He exhausted a fortune in stock-market speculation.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander, waste

3. to draw out all that is essential in (a subject, topic, etc.); treat or study thoroughly.

4. to empty by drawing out the contents.

   to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

   Synonyms: void
   Antonyms: fill

5. to create a vacuum in.

6. to draw out or drain off completely.

7. to deprive wholly of useful or essential properties, possessions, resources, etc.

8. Chemistry, Pharmacology.,  to deprive of ingredients by the use of solvents, as a drug.

9. to destroy the fertility of (soil), as by intensive cultivation.

verb (used without object)

1. to pass out or escape, as spent steam from the cylinder of an engine.

noun

Machinery.

1. the escape of steam or gases from the cylinder of an engine.

2. the steam or gases ejected.

   Synonyms: vapor, smoke, fume

3. Also called exhaust system. the parts of an engine through which the exhaust is ejected.

exhaust

/ ɪɡˈzɔːst /

verb

1. to drain the energy of; tire out

   to exhaust someone by constant questioning

2. to deprive of resources, etc

   a nation exhausted by war

3. to deplete totally; expend; consume

   to exhaust food supplies

4. to empty (a container) by drawing off or pumping out (the contents)

5. to develop or discuss thoroughly so that no further interest remains

   to exhaust a topic of conversation

6. to remove gas from (a vessel, etc) in order to reduce the pressure or create a vacuum; evacuate

7. to remove or use up the active ingredients from (a drug, solution, etc)

8. to destroy the fertility of (soil) by excessive cultivation

9. (intr) (of steam or other gases) to be emitted or to escape from an engine after being expanded

noun

1. gases ejected from an engine as waste products

2. 1. the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine

   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust stroke

3. 1. the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass

   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust valve

      exhaust pipe

Other Word Forms

• exhauster noun
• exhaustible adjective
• exhaustibility noun
• multiexhaust noun
• nonexhausted adjective
• nonexhaustible adjective
• preexhaust verb (used with object)
• unexhausted adjective
• unexhaustedly adverb
• exhausting adjective
• exhausted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

1515–25; 1895–1900 exhaust for def. 11; < Latin exhaustus emptied out, drained out, past participle of exhaurīre

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

C16: from Latin exhaustus made empty, from exhaurīre to draw out, from haurīre to draw, drain

Example Sentences

She is one of those exhausting whirlwind personalities one might take to be on drugs, except that there are people who really do run at that speed, without speed — Holly Go-Heavily.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Accounts from exhausted survivors also paint a picture of terror and violence.

Read more on BBC

Nevertheless, if Mr. Ball’s catalog of killings and counterkillings is exhausting, it is also convincing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But they also came away battered and bruised, losing star slugger George Springer to an apparent side injury while exhausting a bullpen that, unlike the Dodgers’, has been tasked with eating more innings this postseason.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Less than a day after an exhausting six-and-a-half hour, 18-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers curled up in the corner with a cold washcloth while the Jays smothered them with it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drain 
• fatigue 
• frazzle 
• impoverish 
• overwork 
• sap 
• tire out www.thesaurus.com
• use up 
• weaken 
• wear out 
• weary