spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

a

: used up : consumed

b

: exhausted of active or required components or qualities often for a particular purpose

spent nuclear fuel

2

: drained of energy or effectiveness : exhausted

3

: exhausted of spawn or sperm

spent fishes

Synonyms

• all in
• aweary [archaic]
• beat
• beaten
• bleary
• burned-out
• burnt-out
• bushed
• dead
• done
• drained
• exhausted
• fatigued
• jaded
• knackered [British]
• limp
• logy
• loggy
• played out
• pooped [slang]
• prostrate
• tapped out
• tired
• tuckered (out)
• washed-out
• wearied
• weary
• wiped out
• worn
• worn-out

Examples of spent in a Sentence

he plopped down in his chair, completely spent, and then fell asleep

Recent Examples on the Web

If successful, this process could deal with the americium that is the most dangerous and long-lived component of spent reactor fuel. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024

Conventional wisdom describes the Green Movement as a spent force, citing the lack of mass demonstrations over the past year and half. —Michael Ledeen, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2012

Police initially had very little evidence to work with, just a spent bullet shell discovered nearby on the ground. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 16 Oct. 2024

After your mums are done blooming, deadhead, or cut off the spent blooms. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of spenden to spend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spent

• a spent force
• well spent

Kids Definition

spent

adjective

ˈspent 

1

: used up

2

: drained of energy