Word
exhausting
Phoneticsex·haust·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪɡˈzɔstɪŋ/
UK/ɛɡzˈɔːstɪŋ/
Definitions
01very tiring
B1 · Intermediate
adj. making you feel extremely tired, either physically or mentally.
adj. causing extreme physical or mental fatigue; a gradable adjective often used to describe tasks or experiences.
“The long hike up the mountain was exhausting, but the view was worth it.”
“After an exhausting twelve-hour shift at the hospital, the surgeon had barely enough energy to drive home safely.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns like 'work', 'day', 'trip', or 'process'.
Pitfall
I am very exhausting after the long walk.
I am very exhausted after the long walk.
Use 'exhausting' to describe the thing that makes you tired (the walk), and 'exhausted' to describe how you feel.
Antonyms
02using something up
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. the act of using all of a supply of something until nothing is left.
v. the present participle of 'exhaust', referring to the total depletion of a resource, supply, or possibility.
“Exhausting our water supply so early in the trip was a serious mistake.”
“The legal team spent months exhausting every possible avenue of appeal before finally admitting defeat in the high court.”
Usage
Often used in the continuous tense or as a gerund acting as a noun.
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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