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

We parent as a team who spends holidays together and we will head to Coachella soon to complain about the bus lines amid total exhaustion yet again.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 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

Stockpiles of long-range interceptors and precision munition in particular, it said, were "nearing exhaustion".

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Godlove was hospitalized several times for exhaustion and died in 1954 before finishing the thousands of color definitions he had been preparing for Webster’s Third.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Hunger, exhaustion, malaria, an infected leg, and now his heart were giving him trouble.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple