Definition

1. Verb:
   • To use up completely; to consume the entirety of a resource: To deplete a supply, resource, or energy until nothing remains.
   • To drain of strength or energy; to tire out completely: To cause someone to become extremely tired, both physically and/or mentally.
   • To discuss or treat a subject so thoroughly that nothing more can be said: To cover all aspects of a topic or possibility.
   • (Technical) To expel gases or steam from an engine or system: To allow waste products from combustion to be discharged.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • We must not exhaust the planet's natural resources. (To use up completely)
  • The long hike exhausted the children, and they fell asleep immediately. (To tire out)
  • The detective exhausted every possible lead in the investigation. (To treat thoroughly)
  • The engine exhausts fumes through a pipe at the rear. (To expel gases)

Advanced Usage

• "To exhaust oneself": To use so much energy that one becomes completely tired.
  • She exhausted herself preparing for the marathon.
• "To exhaust the possibilities": To consider all available options.
  • We have exhausted the possibilities for a peaceful solution.

Variants and Related Words

• Exhaustion (noun): The state of being extremely tired or the act of using something up.
  • He was suffering from complete exhaustion after the project.
• Exhaustive (adjective): Thorough and complete; leaving nothing out.
  • The researcher conducted an exhaustive study.
• Exhaustible (adjective): Capable of being used up.
  • Fossil fuels are exhaustible resources.

Synonyms

• Deplete: To reduce the amount or number of something significantly.
• Drain: To cause something to lose its content, strength, or energy.
• Fatigue: To make someone very tired.
• Consume: To use up a resource.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Exhaust" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "of.")

Related Idioms

• "To run oneself into the ground": To work so hard that one becomes exhausted. (Similar in meaning to "to exhaust oneself")
  • He's going to run himself into the ground if he doesn't take a break.

Noun

1. system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged
2. gases ejected from an engine as waste products

Verb

1. eliminate (a substance)
   • combustion products are exhausted in the engine
   • the plant releases a gas
2. use up the whole supply of
   • We have exhausted the food supplies
3. deplete
   • exhaust one's savings
   • We quickly played out our strength
4. use up (resources or materials)
   • this car consumes a lot of gas
   • We exhausted our savings
   • They run through 20 bottles of wine a week
5. wear out completely
   • This kind of work exhausts me
   • I'm beat
   • He was all washed up after the exam