exhaustion

American  

[ig-zaws-chuhn] / ɪgˈzɔs tʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of exhausting.

2. the state of being exhausted.

3. extreme weakness or fatigue.

   Synonyms:

   lassitude, weariness

4. the total consumption of something.

   the exhaustion of your vacation benefits for the year.

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exhaustion British  

/ ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən /

noun

1. extreme tiredness; fatigue

2. the condition of being used up; consumption

   exhaustion of the earth's resources

3. the act of exhausting or the state of being exhausted

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Other Word Forms

• preexhaustion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of exhaustion

First recorded in 1640–50, exhaustion is from the New Latin word exhaustiōn- (stem of exhaustiō ). See exhaust, -ion

Explanation

Exhaustion is a state of being incredibly tired. Running a marathon on a hot day often results in exhaustion. Your exhaustion might be due to physical fatigue, after shoveling snow for hours or chasing after your runaway dog, or mental tiredness. A terrible argument with your best friend can lead to exhaustion, for example. Another kind of exhaustion is caused by illness or general weakness. Exhaustion comes from the verb exhaust, "a drawing off," specifically of strength. from the Latin exhaurire, "draw off" or "take away."

Example Sentences

Exhaustion was setting in, but the deodorant I’d packed needed to be replaced, so I found myself roaming the body care aisles, wincing under the fluorescent lights as my patience rapidly grew thinner.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Exhaustion could be heard in Walz’s voice as he spoke to reporters the day after Good’s death.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Exhaustion, frustration, sadness, anger, the impulse to judge and even emptiness are normal.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025

Exhaustion, vomiting, and aversion to strong smells are well-known—and well-loathed—pregnancy symptoms.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 13, 2023

Exhaustion finally dragged him into a stuporous sleep.

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen