Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Thesaurus

burn out

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of BURN OUT

to use up all the physical energy of <working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out>

Synonyms break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, fag, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary

Related Words debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, waste, weaken

Near Antonyms activate, energize, invigorate, rejuvenate, strengthen, vitalize; relax, rest, unwind

Learn More About

Dictionary: Definition of "burn out"

Nglish: Translation of "burn out" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "burn out" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up burn out? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated