spent
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for spent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Used up completely; exhausted or depleted.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use spent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
feel spent
spent force
spent fuel
Etymology
The past tense and past participle of "spend."
Full origin of spent →Frequently asked questions
What does “spent” mean?
The word “spent” means used up completely; exhausted or depleted. In plain terms, worn out or used up, whether talking about energy, fuel, or an old law.
How do you pronounce “spent”?
“Spent” is pronounced spehnt (/spɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spent” in a sentence?
Here is “spent” used in a sentence: “After the marathon, she felt completely spent.”
What part of speech is “spent”?
“Spent” is an adjective.
Is “spent” a common word?
“Spent” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spent” have?
“Spent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used up completely; exhausted or depleted.
What is the difference between 'spent' and 'exhausted'?
The two overlap closely when describing depletion. 'Exhausted' most often describes a tired person — 'I'm exhausted.' 'Spent' can describe a person too, but it also readily describes things that are used up, like a spent battery or spent fuel. 'Spent' emphasises that all the usable energy or resource is gone.
What is an example of 'spent'?
A spent match has already been struck and can't be used again; a spent battery holds no charge. Of a person, 'after the marathon she was completely spent' means her energy was gone. In each case, whatever made the thing useful has been fully consumed.
Can a person be described as 'spent'?
Yes. Beyond objects like a spent match or battery, 'spent' vividly describes a person who has no energy left — 'by the final mile, the runners were completely spent.' It suggests every reserve of strength has been used up, a stronger image than simply saying 'tired.'
