Synonyms of exhaust

exhaust

verb

ig-ˈzȯst 

1

as in to tire

to use up all the physical energy of

the long day at the county fair had exhausted everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tire
• wear
• kill
• drain
• bust
• waste
• weary
• burn out
• harass
• fatigue
• wash out
• fag
• break
• wear out
• knock out
• outwear
• frazzle
• weaken
• tucker (out)
• do in
• wear to a frazzle
• enervate
• debilitate
• do up
• enfeeble
• sap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activate
• strengthen
• energize
• rest
• relax
• invigorate
• rejuvenate
• vitalize
• unwind

2

as in to drain

to make complete use of

we had been at the theme park barely for two hours, and we were on the verge of exhausting our spending money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drain
• spend
• consume
• reduce
• burn
• absorb
• deplete
• use
• eat
• expend
• use up
• draw down
• run out of
• empty
• play out
• devour
• waste
• decrease
• diminish
• weaken
• lessen
• downsize
• blow
• bankrupt
• abate
• clean (out)
• debilitate
• dwindle
• impoverish
• undermine
• lower
• dry up
• disable
• enfeeble
• cripple
• sap
• dissipate
• guzzle
• throw away
• lavish
• de-escalate
• run through
• squander
• misspend
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• replace
• increase
• renew
• augment
• enlarge
• enforce
• strengthen
• bolster
• reinforce
• repair
• restore
• rebuild
• save
• preserve
• revive
• conserve
• reenforce
• fortify

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exhaust distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of exhaust are fatigue, jade, tire, and weary. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

In what contexts can fatigue take the place of exhaust?

Although the words fatigue and exhaust have much in common, fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

When can jade be used instead of exhaust?

The words jade and exhaust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When could tire be used to replace exhaust?

The meanings of tire and exhaust largely overlap; however, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

Where would weary be a reasonable alternative to exhaust?

While in some cases nearly identical to exhaust, weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exhaust

Reese, Miguel and fifth-year senior small forward Jordan Geronimo have exhausted their eligibility. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025

Ukrainians living in the Bay Area, exhausted by the three-year-old conflict, are now contending with increasingly pro-Russia policies from the Trump administration. —Ella Polak, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025

If lawmakers do not raise or suspend the debt limit before all extraordinary measures are exhausted, the government could default on its debt -- something that's only happened a handful of times in U.S. history, though never in regard to the statutory debt limit. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025

Prickly poppies are so thorny that cattle will leave them completely untouched even during drought, when all other vegetation has been exhausted. —Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 25 Mar. 2025