What does exhaustingly mean?
"Exhaustingly" is an adverb formed from the adjective "exhausting," which derives from the verb "to exhaust." It describes something done in a manner that drains energy — physically or mentally — and is frequently used to intensify adjectives: an exhaustingly long meeting, an exhaustingly hot afternoon, an exhaustingly slow queue. The word carries a mildly negative, often complaining connotation and sits comfortably in informal and journalistic registers, though it appears in more formal writing too. It should not be confused with "exhaustively," a near-homograph that instead means thoroughly and completely, as in an exhaustively researched biography. The underlying root traces to Latin exhaurire, "to draw out or drain," via the verb exhaust. Because English speakers readily reach for the simpler adjective "exhausting" ("the day was exhausting"), the adverb tends to appear chiefly when modifying another adjective rather than standing alone.
adverbIn a manner that causes extreme tiredness or depletion of physical or mental energy; used to intensify an adjective or describe an action that is extremely demanding or tedious.
- In a way that is physically or mentally tiring; so as to cause exhaustion.
- Used as an intensifier meaning extremely, especially with adjectives like long, hot, or slow.
"The climb was exhaustingly steep, and they paused every few hundred metres to catch their breath."
"The interview process was exhaustingly thorough, stretching over six weeks."
"The first day at the new job was exhaustingly busy."
"Exhaustingly" and "exhaustively" differ by one letter — but one leaves you worn out and the other leaves you thoroughly informed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exhaustingly
Exhaustingly derives from exhausting, the present participle of the verb exhaust, plus the adverbial suffix -ly. The verb comes from Latin exhaurire ("to draw out, drain dry"), formed from ex- ("out") and haurire ("to draw water"). Exhaust entered English in the 16th century, and the derivative forms exhausting and exhaustingly developed later. Cognates sharing this Latin root include exhaustion, exhaustive, and inexhaustible.
Related word forms
How exhaustingly is actually used
Informal to neutral register; common in everyday speech and journalism. Often used hyperbolically to complain about tedious or draining experiences. The derived adverb is less common than the adjective 'exhausting'.
Easily confused with exhaustingly
Exhaustively means in a thorough, complete manner (covering all details), while exhaustingly means in a way that causes tiredness or fatigue.