exhaustion
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛɡzˈɔːstʃən/
US
- /ɪɡˈzɔstʃən/
Description
- extreme tiredness
- worn out
- depleted energy
This is not just feeling tired after a long day. It is a deep sense of having no energy left, like a runner collapsing after a marathon or a person who has been under stress for too long. It can be physical, mental, or emotional, and sometimes all three happen together. People often feel this way after hard work, lack of sleep, illness, or long periods of pressure.
Exhaustion describes a state of extreme physical, mental, or emotional fatigue. It is more than just being tired; it is the feeling that your energy has been used up and that normal tasks suddenly feel hard. While everyone gets tired from time to time, this is deeper and can affect daily life in a serious way.
There are different kinds of exhaustion. Physical exhaustion can come from hard activity, illness, or not getting enough sleep, like what a construction worker may feel after a long shift or what a new parent may feel after many sleepless nights. Mental exhaustion can grow from long hours of study, problem-solving, or focused work, and it often shows up as poor concentration, slow thinking, and irritability. Emotional exhaustion is often tied to long-term stress, caregiving, or painful experiences, and it can make someone feel empty, overwhelmed, or unable to handle everyday problems.
Exhaustion is not always easy to see. Someone may still go to work, answer messages, and look fine on the outside while feeling completely drained inside. It can be a symptom of a health problem, such as anemia or thyroid disease, but it is also often linked to overwork, poor sleep, stress, and too little rest.
You might say, "The doctor warned her that pushing herself through the illness would only lead to complete exhaustion." Or, "After years of caring for sick relatives, she was suffering from emotional exhaustion." In many cases, this word is a warning sign. It tells a story of a body or mind that has been pushed too far and now needs rest, recovery, and care. If it is ignored, it can lead to bigger problems in both physical and mental health.
Examples
- 1
Lack of sleep
After three nights with almost no sleep, she was close to exhaustion.
- 2
Race
By the end of the race, two runners had collapsed from exhaustion.
Phrase
from exhaustion
because of extreme tiredness
- 3
Overwork
He worked to the point of exhaustion and still said he wasn't doing enough.
Phrase
to the point of exhaustion
until you become extremely tired
- 4
Health warning
The doctor told her to rest before stress turned into complete exhaustion.
- 5
Newborn care
Looking after a newborn can bring both happiness and deep exhaustion.
- 6
Workplace pressure
Months of pressure at work had left him with emotional exhaustion rather than physical tiredness.
Phrase
emotional exhaustion
feeling completely worn out mentally and emotionally
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- exhaustionnoun