Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To use a supply so fully that little or none remains.
Natural examples
Die lange Trockenheit erschöpfte den Wasservorrat.
After the long drought, the water supply was exhausted.
Die Verhandlungen erschöpften alle verfügbaren Optionen.
The negotiations exhausted every available option.
Der ständige Lärm erschöpfte ihre Geduld.
The constant noise exhausted her patience.
Usage note
Erschöpfen is regular and transitive: use up supplies, patience, or options. Do not confuse it with being exhausted.
Mini-lesson: erschöpfen
To use a supply so fully that little or none remains. Erschöpfen is regular and transitive: use up supplies, patience, or options. Do not confuse it with being exhausted.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «erschöpfen»?