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Overwhelm vs Exhaust - What's the difference?

overwhelm | exhaust |

As verbs the difference between overwhelm and exhaust

is that overwhelm is to engulf, surge over and submerge while exhaust is to draw or let out wholly; to drain off completely; as, to exhaust the water of a well; the moisture of the earth is exhausted by evaporation.

As a noun exhaust is

a system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged; see also exhaust system.

As an adjective exhaust is

exhausted; used up.

overwhelm

English

Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
    • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
    • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
    • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
    • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
    • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    Related terms

    * whelm

    See also

    * too many balls in the air

    exhaust

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To draw or let out wholly; to drain off completely; as, to exhaust the water of a well; the moisture of the earth is exhausted by evaporation.
  • To empty by drawing or letting out the contents; as, to exhaust a well, or a treasury.
  • To drain, metaphorically; to use or expend wholly, or till the supply comes to an end; to deprive wholly of strength; to use up; to weary or tire out; to wear out; as, to exhaust one's strength, patience, or resources.
    • A decrepit, exhausted old man at fifty-five. --Motley.
  • To bring out or develop completely; to discuss thoroughly; as, to exhaust a subject.
  • (chemistry) To subject to the action of various solvents in order to remove all soluble substances or extractives; as, to exhaust a drug successively with water, alcohol, and ether.

    • Synonyms

    * spend, consume * tire out, weary * See also

    Related terms

    * exhaustion * exhaustive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged; see also exhaust system.
  • The steam let out of a cylinder after it has done its work there.
  • The foul air let out of a room through a register or pipe provided for the purpose.
  • * {{quote-book, year=2006, author=
    • , title=Internal Combustion , chapter=1 citation , passage=If successful, Edison and Ford—in 1914—would move society away from the
  • An exhaust pipe, especially on a motor vehicle.
  • Short for .

    • Derived terms

    * exhaust draught * exhaust fan * exhaustless * exhaust nozzle * exhaust pipe * exhaust port * exhaust purifier * exhaust steam * exhaust system * exhaust valve

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Exhausted; used up.

    • External links

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