spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

a

: used up : consumed

b

: exhausted of active or required components or qualities often for a particular purpose

spent nuclear fuel

2

: drained of energy or effectiveness : exhausted

3

: exhausted of spawn or sperm

spent fishes

Synonyms

• exhausted
• tired
• drained
• done
• weary

Examples of spent in a Sentence

he plopped down in his chair, completely spent, and then fell asleep

Recent Examples on the Web

When flowers begin to fade, begonias do well to have a little extra care—pinching or cutting off the spent blossoms, known as deadheading. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 June 2025

Somewhere between spent and scintillated sits its manager, who plopped down for Sunday’s postgame news conference and let out an exhale. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Deputies found a Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol inside the bedroom, along with a spent cartridge. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 4 June 2025

Hybrid tea roses are the classic case as continual new waves of flowers depend on conscientious removal of spent blooms. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of spenden to spend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spent

• a spent force
• well spent

Rhymes for spent

• bent
• blent
• cent
• ent
• fent
• lent
• meant
• pent
• rent
• rente
• scent
• sent

Kids Definition

spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

: used up

2

: drained of energy