Looking for synonyms for burn out? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say burn out.
- Exhaust
- Deplete
- Drain
- Fatigue
- Tire
- Wear out
- Overwork
- Overexert
- Sap
- Enervate
- Weary
- Frazzle
- Overextend
- Tax
- Run down
Want to learn how to say burn out professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Exhaust
Use “exhaust” when referring to using up all of someone’s physical or mental energy, often in a work or professional setting.
Example: “After working on the project for 10 hours straight, the team felt completely exhausted.”
2. Deplete
“Deplete” is suitable when indicating a significant reduction in vitality or resources, typically due to prolonged effort or activity.
Example: “Continuous overtime work depleted her energy reserves, making it hard to focus.”
3. Drain
“Drain” is appropriate when describing the process of gradually losing energy or enthusiasm, usually as a result of prolonged stress or overwork.
Example: “Months of balancing tight deadlines and client demands drained his enthusiasm for the job.”
4. Fatigue
Use “fatigue” when referring to extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness, often in a professional context.
Example: “The intense training schedule fatigued the new recruits, leaving them needing additional rest.”
5. Tire
“Tire” is fitting when someone gradually starts feeling a loss of energy or interest in their work or task.
Example: “She tired quickly of the monotonous data entry work, longing for more challenging assignments.”
6. Wear out
“Wear out” is appropriate for describing a gradual deterioration of physical or mental strength, usually due to continuous stress or activity.
Example: “The relentless pace of the project wore out even the most dedicated employees.”
7. Overwork
“Overwork” is used when someone is working excessively hard or too long, often leading to a decrease in health or performance.
Example: “He overworked himself to meet the deadline, resulting in decreased quality of his presentations.”
8. Overexert
Use “overexert” when someone exceeds their physical or mental limits in an effort to achieve something, often in a professional setting.
Example: “Trying to overexert herself to impress her superiors, she ended up compromising her health.”
9. Sap
“Sap” is suitable for describing a gradual weakening or loss of vitality, often due to continuous demands or challenges.
Example: “The constant criticism from her manager sapped her of her usual enthusiasm for work.”
10. Enervate
“Enervate” is appropriate when there’s a notable draining of energy or vitality, often as a result of prolonged mental strain.
Example: “The complex and lengthy negotiations enervated him, leaving little energy for other tasks.”
11. Weary
Use “weary” to describe a feeling of tiredness or lack of energy, particularly from laborious work or responsibilities.
Example: “The continuous pressure to perform at peak levels wearied the team, affecting their productivity.”
12. Frazzle
“Frazzle” is fitting for describing a state of extreme physical or emotional exhaustion, often as a result of high-stress environments.
Example: “Months of balancing a high-stakes project frazzled her nerves.”
13. Overextend
“Overextend” is used when someone goes beyond their capabilities or resources, particularly in a professional or work context.
Example: “By taking on too many projects, he overextended himself and couldn’t meet all the deadlines.”
14. Tax
Use “tax” to imply putting a significant strain or demand on someone’s physical or mental resources.
Example: “The new assignment taxed his abilities to the limit, challenging him to develop new skills.”
15. Run down
“Run down” is suitable for indicating a state of being tired or less energetic, often due to long-term exertion or stress.
Example: “After years of high-pressure work, she felt completely run down and in need of a sabbatical.”
