exhaustive

[ig-zaws-tiv]

adjective

1. exhausting exhausting a subject, topic, etc.; comprehensive; thorough.

   He published an exhaustive study of Greek vases.

2. tending to exhaust or drain, as resources or strength.

   a protracted, exhaustive siege of illness.

exhaustive

/ ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv /

adjective

1. comprehensive in scope; thorough

   an exhaustive survey

2. tending to exhaust

Other Word Forms

• exhaustiveness noun
• exhaustively adverb
• nonexhaustive adjective
• nonexhaustively adverb
• nonexhaustiveness noun
• unexhaustive adjective
• unexhaustively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaustive¹

First recorded in 1780–90; exhaust + -ive

Example Sentences

The law includes several examples of professional degrees but says it isn’t an exhaustive list.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We also received an exhaustive tutorial in the history of taste and of restorations executed to respond to that taste, with helpful diagrams for each exhibited work indicating what was old and what was added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Capote perfectly captures the sacramental quality of the holiday—how, through the exhaustive labor of polishing and scrubbing, we consecrate the routine rooms of daily existence into a sanctuary for celebration.

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It provides the most exhaustive examination yet into how and when fire officials responded to the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The commander of the sabotage unit, meanwhile, was found in Italy after an exhaustive hunt.

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Related Words

• comprehensive 
• encyclopedic 
• extensive 
• full-scale 
• in-depth 
• intensive 
• sweeping 
• thorough