EXHAUST Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

exhaust

verb

ig-ˈzȯst

Definition of exhaust

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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.

Recent Examples of exhaust The everyday cost of war Six months of conflict and severe economic hardship have made daily life exhausting for regular Iranians. — Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Here in Iceland, the debate circles around fishing rights and Brussels’ often exhausting regulations. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 For Cameron, who spent decades exhausting HIV treatment options as his virus developed resistance, among the biggest benefits may be that the two-drug regimen effectively controls his virus while exposing him to fewer medications. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 If your body is already exhausted from the day before, take control before things escalate. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhaust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhaust

Verb

In other words, an evening session does not just tire you out.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
The game slows not only because bodies tire more quickly, but because players begin pacing themselves earlier — conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of tire

Verb

In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Robert spent the prior six years with Chicago, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023, his best season and lone All-Star appearance.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
While higher earners had been spending more using credit cards, the institute said the gap across income classes began narrowing in May of this year.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Clancy is a Massachusetts woman who has been on trial for killing her three children and attempting to take her own life in 2023.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of kill

Verb

Participants are each given half a watermelon to eat in a specified time period, and they must be consumed down to the rind.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
That figure assumes the vehicle consumes 100 watt-hours per mile and its solar panels deliver at least four kWh of usable energy to the battery during the day.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of consume

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

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exhaling

exhaust

exhausted

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“Exhaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhaust. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exhaust

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