exhaustion

noun

ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

Examples of exhaustion in a Sentence

He worked to the point of complete exhaustion. the exhaustion of our natural resources
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The probe comes after a 114-page report, released earlier this year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), found that exhaustion, burnout and an overall lack of sleep for controllers — particularly during evening shifts — has hindered safety and led to accidents. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024 Poor mental health in the workplace can result in burnout and exhaustion, which leads to high turnover rates, failure to meet deadlines or targets and a generally unmotivated workforce. Kendra Davenport, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Negotiations are just another tool to improve one’s political position; the objective, as with military operations, remains the enemy’s subjugation, or at least its exhaustion. Niall Ferguson, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024 Her father, Ed (Mike Hagerty), is a classic long-suffering, co-dependent spouse, struggling to manage the farm despite his wife’s illness and his own age, physical limitations and general exhaustion. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exhaustion 

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhaustion was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near exhaustion

Cite this Entry

“Exhaustion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhaustion. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
1
: the act of exhausting
2
: the state of being exhausted

Medical Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion ig-ˈzȯs-chən How to pronounce exhaustion (audio)
1
: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted
suffered from physical and mental exhaustion
see heat exhaustion
2
: neurosis following overstrain or overexertion especially in military combat

Legal Definition

exhaustion

noun
ex·​haus·​tion
: the act or process of exhausting
even after the exhaustion of direct appellate reviewW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
specifically : exhaustion of remedies

More from Merriam-Webster on exhaustion

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