fatigue 1 of 2

fatigue

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fatigue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fatigue are exhaust, jade, tire, and weary. While all these words mean "to make or become unable or unwilling to continue," fatigue suggests great lassitude from excessive strain or undue effort.

fatigued by the day's chores

When can exhaust be used instead of fatigue?

While in some cases nearly identical to fatigue, exhaust implies complete draining of strength by hard exertion.

shoveling snow exhausted him

When could jade be used to replace fatigue?

The words jade and fatigue can be used in similar contexts, but jade suggests the loss of all freshness and eagerness.

appetites jaded by overindulgence

When is tire a more appropriate choice than fatigue?

Although the words tire and fatigue have much in common, tire implies a draining of one's strength or patience.

the long ride tired us out

When might weary be a better fit than fatigue?

While the synonyms weary and fatigue are close in meaning, weary stresses tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same thing.

wearied of the constant arguing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fatigue
Verb
The situation underscores how bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan have global ramifications, especially in a world fatigued by war in Ukraine and Gaza. Fahad Shah, Christian Science Monitor, 7 May 2025 Space also feels like a subtle protest of this new L.A. aesthetic that has emerged in the last 15 years — blond wood, airy, minimalist design, a plant in the corner — that Lee (and I, and many others) have grown fatigued over. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
One small study of 42 marathoners found that the run-walkers and continuous runners had experienced similar stress on their cardiovascular systems, when measured at the finish line of a marathon, but the run-walkers reported less muscle pain and fatigue after the race. The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025 Sleep, mission fatigue and communication trouble are some of the obstacles astronauts face during extended missions. Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fatigue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatigue
Verb
  • Sienna, 8, wore her hair in adorable pigtails while Ciara wore a middle part with loose curls pulled back.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 June 2025
  • One Amazon reviewer wore them during a trip to Italy and said their feet felt great after being on them all day in the heat.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Trade timing The timing for adding bearish exposure to DE is optimal, as the stock has reached a recent all-time high and is showing signs of exhaustion with bearish divergence on the weekly RSI.
    Tony Zhang, CNBC, 21 May 2025
  • And his aesthetic keeps pace with Brendan Mills’ excellent editing, in changing mood from the jittery, quick-cut, handheld first half to a steadier, more contemplative last act as Lu’s treks across the boroughs become longer and slower and exhaustion begins to set in.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Those short-term staff make up the highest proportion of FEMA employees, about 40%, and are a pillar of the agency's on-the-ground response efforts.
    Leah Douglas, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • In addition to strong currents, water temperatures are cold following a dip in temperatures earlier this week, which could tire swimmers out even sooner.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
  • Colleen Lanin, who writes the travel blog Colleen Travels Between and has been covering family travel for 16 years, suggests tiring the kids out with exercise before boarding.
    Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, rural hospitals — already on the brink of collapse — will close their doors, leaving entire communities without access to emergency care.
    Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • There were also signs of lung collapse and fluid buildup (edema).
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • To opponents of the bills, including dozens of environmental and labor groups, the effort misplaces the source of building woes and instead would restrict one of the few ways community groups can shape development.
    Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • Counties with more than 4% unemployment (labor surplus zones) account for approximately 3.5 million unemployed workers, while counties with less than 4% unemployment (labor shortage zones) need about 1.7 million workers to reach the 4% full-employment benchmark.
    Ariel Diaz, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The California Department of Justice will investigate a fatal shooting by Los Angeles Police Department officers under a law that empowers the state attorney general to probe police shootings of unarmed people — despite the LAPD saying the man killed Tuesday was holding a gun.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • The two teens were the third and fourth adolescents under 14 to be arrested in the Bronx for killing a bystander with a stray bullet to the head within six weeks.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The sheets proved breathable and effectively absorbed sweat in the summer months.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 May 2025
  • However, guests can work up a sweat in the bright gym, open 24/7.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fatigue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatigue. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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