spent

adjective

ˈspent How to pronounce spent (audio)
Synonyms of spentnext
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 of spent

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Examples of spent in a Sentence

he plopped down in his chair, completely spent, and then fell asleep
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These are the tools where your money is actually well spent. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 To prevent it from reseeding, make sure to cut branches with spent blooms. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026 Sure, said Grejo, flinging the spent syringe into the fire. — Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 At the home, officers found a spent bullet casing on the basement stairs – alleging Ramsey shot down at Spears. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of spenden to spend

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spent was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing spent

Rhymes for spent

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Browse Nearby Words

Spenserian stanza
spent
spent acid
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Cite this Entry

“Spent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spent

adjective
ˈspent How to pronounce spent (audio)
1
: used up
2
: drained of energy

More from Merriam-Webster on spent

Nglish: Translation of spent for Spanish Speakers

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