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

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

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

Last week’s spinning top candle points to possible downside exhaustion following an early March doji, a combination that can precede near-term stabilization.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

You also spoke of another, often forgotten, aspect of fighting for representation of an elderly person, and attempting to remove bad actors from their life — physical and mental exhaustion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Perilee ran to Karl, her progress hampered by exhaustion and her round middle.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson