exhausted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'exhausted' is correct and completely usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of physical and/or mental fatigue after a hard day's work, for example: After working all morning in the garden, I was feeling completely exhausted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Opinion

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once popular for wedding receptions and baptism parties, the hotel's pool now holds only a few inches of stagnant rainwater, and a stream of exhausted international aid workers has replaced the celebrations.

The Guardian

It's a war of attrition to see who is exhausted first and who will win the battle for Bahrain's reputation in London and Washington and Geneva".

The Guardian

"As with some other major AAA-rated sovereigns, unless off-setting measures were adopted, the capacity of UK public finances to absorb adverse economic and financial shocks that would result in yet higher public debt while retaining its 'AAA' status has largely been exhausted," it said.

The Guardian

The sad reality was that Dundee United's players were exhausted after such a mammoth effort during the season, with mental tiredness also entering the equation after the events of Hampden Park.

The Guardian - Sport

Talk to carers and charities and the words are "exhausted" and "at breaking point".

The Guardian

Related: GPs are exhausted, A&E is overrun and hospitals are broke.

The Guardian

Asylum seekers are examined while exhausted, dehydrated and filthy, their clothing "soiled with urine and faeces" because there are no toilets on the boats.

The Guardian

She tells me about trying to throw a brunch for the Z in its entirety, only to find herself exhausted after a difficult night with the kids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In any case, the Tories were exhausted, corrupt and riven with dissent, just as in 1964.

The Guardian

Why shouldn't a doctor, cowed and exhausted by a system seemingly designed to undermine and disempower, consider selling their labour to the highest bidder?

The Guardian

At the end of the match they slumped back in their seats exhausted, tongues hanging out, trying to catch their breath.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a state of being "exhausted", consider specifying the cause to provide more context and impact. For example, "exhausted from a long day of travel" is more informative than simply "exhausted".

Common error

Avoid using "exhausted" to describe a chronic or permanent condition. It typically refers to a temporary state resulting from specific exertion or circumstances. For chronic fatigue, consider terms like "debilitated" or "chronically fatigued".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exhausted" is as an adjective, describing a state of being depleted of energy or resources. It can also function as the past participle of the verb "exhaust". As Ludwig AI states, it accurately describes physical or mental fatigue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

17%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Opinion

9%

Travel

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exhausted" is a versatile adjective that effectively conveys extreme tiredness or depletion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and wide usage across diverse contexts, including news, sports, and lifestyle, make it a reliable choice for describing various situations. While it is generally neutral in tone, specific word choices can further refine the message. To enhance clarity, it's beneficial to specify the cause of exhaustion, and avoid using "exhausted" to describe permanent states. Consider alternatives like "drained" or "worn out" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely drained

Indicates a total loss of energy, both physically and mentally.

utterly weary

Emphasizes the extent of tiredness, suggesting a profound state of fatigue.

dog-tired

An informal expression for extreme tiredness.

worn out

Suggests tiredness due to prolonged use or activity.

spent

Implies a depletion of energy or resources, leading to exhaustion.

fatigued

A more formal term for tired, often used in medical or scientific contexts.

tuckered out

An informal and folksy way to describe being exhausted.

running on empty

A figurative expression for continuing to function despite being severely depleted of energy.

at the end of my rope

Suggests being exhausted not just physically but emotionally and mentally, reaching a breaking point.

ready to drop

Implies being so tired that one is on the verge of collapsing.

FAQs

How can I use "exhausted" in a sentence?

You can use "exhausted" to describe a state of extreme tiredness, as in "After the marathon, I felt completely exhausted". It can also describe resources being depleted, such as "The mine's resources were exhausted".

What's a more formal synonym for "exhausted"?

A more formal synonym for "exhausted" is "fatigued", which is often used in medical or scientific contexts.

What can I say instead of "I'm exhausted"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm drained", "I'm worn out", or "I'm dog-tired" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exhausted of"?

While you can say someone is "drained of" energy, it's more common to simply say someone is "exhausted". Using "exhausted of" is less idiomatic.