Exhausting: meaning, definitions and examples

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exhausting

[ɪɡˈzɔːstɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or causing extreme tiredness

Causing someone to feel extremely tired or lacking energy. Something that is exhausting consumes a lot of physical or mental effort. It can leave a person drained and fatigued.

Synonyms

draining, fatiguing, taxing, tiring, wearying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
exhausting	Used when an activity leaves someone completely out of energy and extremely tired, often physically. Running a marathon is exhausting. Dealing with all these problems at work can be exhausting.
tiring	Generally refers to something that makes someone feel tired. It is less intense than 'exhausting'. It's tiring to lift heavy boxes all day. The long meeting was really tiring.
draining	Refers to situations or activities that deplete someone’s physical, mental, or emotional energy gradually. Handling constant arguments can be emotionally draining. Taking care of a newborn baby can be very draining.
wearying	Used to describe activities that progressively induce weariness, often due to monotony or repetitive nature. Listening to tedious lectures can be wearying. Her constant complaints are wearying.
fatiguing	Describes activities that cause physical or mental weariness over time. This term is often used in medical or technical contexts. Working long hours in front of a computer screen can be fatiguing. The constant noise made the environment fatiguing.
taxing	Applied to tasks or situations that require significant effort or stamina and are challenging to manage. Balancing work and study is quite taxing. His new project is mentally taxing.

Examples of usage

It was an exhausting day at work.
The long hike was exhausting, but worth it.
She found the constant noise of the city exhausting.
The exhausting workout left him sore for days.
The exhausting heat made it hard to concentrate.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

making someone feel extremely tired

To make someone feel extremely tired or lacking energy. When something exhausts a person, it drains their physical or mental resources.

Synonyms

deplete, drain, fatigue, sap, weary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
exhausting	Used to describe something that is very tiring or demanding, often physically. Running a marathon was exhausting. The long meeting was exhausting for everyone.
weary	Used to describe being physically or mentally tired, often due to continuous effort or lack of rest. She felt weary after working late all week. The weary traveler finally arrived at the hotel.
fatigue	Used when referring to extreme tiredness resulting from physical or mental exertion. After the long hike, I was overcome with fatigue. Fatigue set in after hours of studying.
drain	Used to describe the gradual removal or reduction of energy, resources, or vitality, with a slightly negative connotation. That tedious project really drained my energy. Constant worry can drain your mental strength.
deplete	Used when resources or supplies are reduced over time, often due to use or consumption. Continuous fishing has depleted the fish population. The long journey has depleted our food supplies.
sap	Used to describe the gradual weakening or draining of strength or energy, often over a prolonged period. The illness sapped his strength. Long hours of work can sap your motivation.

Examples of usage

The long hours of work exhausted him.
The constant demands of the job can be exhausting.
She was exhausted after running the marathon.
The emotional toll of the situation exhausted her.
The rigorous training program exhausted the athletes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'exhaustus,' which means 'to empty out' or 'to use up.'
Initially used in the 14th century, the word was related more to physical depletion than mental fatigue.
The modern usage to describe mental or emotional fatigue started gaining popularity in the 19th century.

Psychology

Mental exhaustion is often linked to stress and can lead to burnout if not managed properly.
Research shows that prolonged mental tasks can decrease motivation and increase feelings of tiredness.
Emotional exhaustion, often seen in caregiving roles, can negatively impact physical health as well.

Health and Fitness

Physical exhaustion can occur after intense workouts, leading to the need for proper rest and recovery.
Sleep experts suggest that lack of quality sleep can cause a person to feel exhausted, impacting cognitive function.
Nutrition plays a key role, as deficiencies in certain vitamins can lead to feelings of fatigue.

Literature

In many novels, characters experiencing exhaustion symbolize their struggle against life's challenges.
Poets often write about exhaustion as a metaphor for emotional turmoil, reflecting deeper existential themes.
Classic literature frequently ties the theme of exhaustion to the human experience of perseverance and resilience.

Pop Culture

Movies often depict heroes becoming exhausted after challenges, highlighting their determination and human limits.
Songs about feeling exhausted often resonate with listeners who face daily stress and fatigue.
Reality shows sometimes showcase contestants becoming exhausted from challenges, dramatizing the struggle for survival.

Translations

Translations of the word "exhausting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exaustivo

🇮🇳 थकाऊ

🇩🇪 erschöpfend

🇮🇩 melelahkan

🇺🇦 виснажливий

🇵🇱 wyczerpujący

🇯🇵 疲れさせる

🇫🇷 épuisant

🇪🇸 agotador

🇹🇷 yorucu

🇰🇷 지치게 하는

🇸🇦 مرهق

🇨🇿 vyčerpávající

🇸🇰 vyčerpávajúci

🇨🇳 令人疲惫的

🇸🇮 izčrpavajoč

🇮🇸 þreytandi

🇰🇿 шаршататын

🇬🇪 დამღლელი

🇦🇿 yorucu

🇲🇽 agotador

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,447, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13444 levying
13445 swam
13446 override
13447 exhausting
13448 propagating
13449 biosynthesis
13450 pooling
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