exhausting

[ ig-zaw-sting ]

/ ɪgˈzɔ stɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exhausting ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

producing or tending to produce fatigue, weariness, or the like: an exhausting day; an exhausting child.

Nearby words

exhaust system, exhaust trail, exhaust velocity, exhaust-gas recirculation, exhausted, exhausting, exhaustion, exhaustion psychosis, exhaustive, exhaustless, exhedra

Origin of exhausting

First recorded in 1530–40; exhaust + -ing²

Related formsex·haust·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for exhausting (2 of 2)

exhaust

[ ig-zawst ]

/ ɪgˈzɔst /

verb (used with object)

to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person: I have exhausted myself working.

to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of: He exhausted a fortune in stock-market speculation.

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

to empty by drawing out the contents: to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

to create a vacuum in.

to draw out or drain off completely.

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

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

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

verb (used without object)

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

noun Machinery.

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

the steam or gases ejected.

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

Origin of exhaust

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

SYNONYMS FOR exhaust

1 tire, enervate, prostrate, debilitate.

2 waste, squander, dissipate.

4 void.

12 fumes, smoke, vapor.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exhaust ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR exhaust

1 strengthen, invigorate.

4 fill.

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Related forms

ex·haust·er, nounex·haust·i·ble, adjectiveex·haust·i·bil·i·ty, nounmul·ti·ex·haust, noun

non·ex·haust·ed, adjectivenon·ex·haust·i·ble, adjectivepre·ex·haust, verb (used with object)un·ex·haust·ed, adjectiveun·ex·haust·ed·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exhausting

Marx forecast that the profit motive would lead to overworking and exhausting the fertility of our soil and other natural systems.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years|Jedediah Purdy|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Russian professional models often describe their business as "exhausting" and "frustrating," especially for a child.
Is 9-Year-Old Russian Model Kristina Pimenova Too Sexualized?|Anna Nemtsova|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sports stars going on Dancing with the Stars who are big, butch, and energetic are talking about how exhausting it is.
Nigel Lythgoe on How to Save Reality TV, ‘On the Town,’ and ‘Brokeback Ballroom’|Kevin Fallon|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their alleged attempt to run off and join ISIS had apparently been exhausting.
How ISIS’s Colorado Girls Were Caught|Michael Daly|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He speaks of the discipline it takes to care for a baby and the overwhelming reward that comes at the end of every exhausting day.
T-Rav: The Reality TV Star Running for Senate in South Carolina|Patricia Murphy|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They would have occasioned an incalculable and exhausting expense.
History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of The United States|Edmund G. Ross
Cavalrymen and frontiersmen have slept soundly in the saddle during the exhausting campaigns against the Indians.
A Practical Physiology|Albert F. Blaisdell
Not one was shirked, though their delivery, before a large audience, was a most exhausting duty.
Character|Samuel Smiles
This method is extremely injurious and exhausting and is very likely to lead to neurasthenia and a nervous breakdown.
Woman|William J. Robinson
It was hard, dangerous, and exhausting work, and at the end of three days Derrick was heartily tired of it.
Derrick Sterling|Kirk Monroe

British Dictionary definitions for exhausting

exhaust

/ (ɪɡˈzɔːst) /

verb (mainly tr)

to drain the energy of; tire outto exhaust someone by constant questioning

to deprive of resources, etca nation exhausted by war

to deplete totally; expend; consumeto exhaust food supplies

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

to develop or discuss thoroughly so that no further interest remainsto exhaust a topic of conversation

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

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

to destroy the fertility of (soil) by excessive cultivation

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

noun

gases ejected from an engine as waste products

the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine
(as modifier)exhaust stroke

the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass
(as modifier)exhaust valve; exhaust pipe

Derived Forms

exhausted, adjectiveexhauster, nounexhaustible, adjectiveexhaustibility, noun

exhausting, adjective

Word Origin for exhaust

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

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

Word Origin and History for exhausting (1 of 2)

exhaust

1530s, "to draw off or out, to use up completely," from Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire "draw off, take away, use up," from ex- "off" (see ex-) + haurire "to draw up" (as water), from PIE *aus- "to draw water." Of resources, etc., from 1630s. Related: Exhausted; exhausting.

Word Origin and History for exhausting (1 of 2)

exhaust

"waste gas," 1848, originally from steam engines, from exhaust (v.). In reference to internal combustion engines by 1896.

exhausting

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of exhausting

Definition for exhausting (2 of 2)

exhaust

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun Machinery.

Origin of exhaust

Examples from the Web for exhausting

British Dictionary definitions for exhausting

exhaust

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for exhaust

Word Origin and History for exhausting (1 of 2)

exhaust

Word Origin and History for exhausting (1 of 2)

exhaust