exhaustive
Americanadjective
-
exhausting exhausting a subject, topic, etc.; comprehensive; thorough.
He published an exhaustive study of Greek vases.
-
tending to exhaust or drain, as resources or strength.
a protracted, exhaustive siege of illness.
adjective
-
comprehensive in scope; thorough
an exhaustive survey
-
tending to exhaust
Other Word Forms
- exhaustively adverb
- exhaustiveness noun
- nonexhaustive adjective
- nonexhaustively adverb
- nonexhaustiveness noun
- unexhaustive adjective
- unexhaustively adverb
Etymology
Origin of exhaustive
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.
Despite exhaustive attempts to return items to families, the BBC understands some objects recovered from the funeral parlour remain unclaimed.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Throughout this week, players and coaches juggle grueling training sessions and meticulous strategy sessions with an exhaustive schedule of media opportunities.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
Though this list isn’t exhaustive by any means, and not all dates have been announced, there’s plenty to start penciling into your calendar.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026
And one venture capitalist described in exhaustive detail the circular flow of money behind a recent investment by Nvidia into his AI startup, enrapturing the crowd with his explanation of how capitalism really works.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025
Long minutes drag by as he does an exhaustive hunt of the small thicket.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions 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.
