exhaustion
Americannoun
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the act or process of exhausting.
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the state of being exhausted.
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extreme weakness or fatigue.
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the total consumption of something.
the exhaustion of your vacation benefits for the year.
noun
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extreme tiredness; fatigue
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the condition of being used up; consumption
exhaustion of the earth's resources
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the act of exhausting or the state of being exhausted
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing exhaustion
A Single Shard
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Adrift
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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.
This sentiment pattern at market tops suggests that the dominant emotion leading up to market tops is exhaustion and even indifference.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
Earhart's disappearance spawned numerous theories - from a simple crash due to fuel exhaustion to more elaborate claims of interference.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
This summer, news reports revealed that multiple sailors had attempted to jump overboard amid shortages of fresh food, disruptions to hot water and laundry services and exhaustion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Abascal had been hospitalised with exhaustion after her eviction, but a deal had been reached with the company that owned her flat allowing her to return home.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Without adrenaline to keep me going, all my terror turned to pure exhaustion.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
