exhaustion

American  

[ig-zaws-chuhn] / ɪgˈzɔs tʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of exhausting. 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

Example Sentences

What looks like resilience is often the final stage of exhaustion, until participation fades and the weight of distribution pulls the market lower.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

A spokesperson for the rap star, 31, confirmed to The Times on Wednesday that the artist’s doctors “ultimately identified extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction and low metabolic levels as the cause of her symptoms.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"We're not exhausted from our caring roles, the exhaustion comes from dealing with professionals, or social care, health, education. Parent carers I think have got it the hardest."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Scene by scene, Ms. Alexander deftly conveys the mounting burden of Carol’s exhaustion and fathomless sadness in the face of this.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

As the women biked past the point of exhaustion, doctors measured the oxygen they were taking in and the carbon dioxide they were breathing out.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson