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Synonyms

exhaust

American  
[ig-zawst] / ɪgˈzɔst /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. gases ejected from an engine as waste products

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

    2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust stroke

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

    2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust valve

      exhaust pipe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of exhaust

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Short-term geopolitical events definitely move the gold price around a little, but incremental demand from safe-haven buying is minimal because the source of that demand has been exhausted,” Winmill said.

From MarketWatch

She felt she had to constantly “maintain an image,” including among her peers, that she was “not bothered by anything and just confident,” which was exhausting, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

But by the time she'd reached the Paris Olympics, mid-twenties activities - like socialising - became "exhausting".

From BBC

It’s exhausting being everywhere at all times at the most spread-out Winter Games in history.

From Los Angeles Times

They looked exhausted and relieved on full-time, like they'd had a brush with ghosts rather than dragons.

From BBC