exhaust
verb (used with object)
to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person.
was exhausting
-
past progressiveof exhaust.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Rachel said she had to push the energy to stay in the game but finding the energy was "exhausting" as a traitor.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
It was exhausting and expensive, but we’re already plotting a return.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
Walking to the right-field pavilion and back was exhausting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2025
She recently found a job — but as is the case for many Americans, the search was exhausting, frustrating and longer than expected.
From Salon ● May 3, 2025
But the weirdness of acting “normal” when nothing really was normal was exhausting.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
