exhaustive

adjective

ex·​haus·​tive ig-ˈzȯ-stiv How to pronounce exhaustive (audio)
: including all possibilities : thorough
conducted an exhaustive search
exhaustively adverb
exhaustiveness noun
exhaustivity noun

Examples of exhaustive in a Sentence

The list was long but not exhaustive. after an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn't found the cat
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.
This requires five years’ experience, almost 100 total class hours, and preparation of a 100–200-page exhaustive study of a large HOA. Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 6 June 2025 The following list is by no means exhaustive of this administration's horrendous policies and ridiculous conduct. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 Here is a subjective and by no means exhaustive list of 13 native plants with gorgeous flowers. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025 Those conditions included armed surveillance, beds without mattresses, one toilet for 31 workers, unrefrigerated food, workers’ passports and salaries being withheld, and exhaustive work without rest. Michael Barclay, Quartz, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for exhaustive

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhaustive was circa 1789

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Cite this Entry

“Exhaustive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhaustive. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

exhaustive

adjective
ex·​haus·​tive ig-ˈzȯ-stiv How to pronounce exhaustive (audio)
: trying all possibilities : thorough
an exhaustive search
exhaustively adverb
exhaustiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on exhaustive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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