as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
we were completely drained after shoveling snow all afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pumped
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consumed
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tired
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of drained
Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
What starts as small talk always ends up in heated debates that leave me feeling drained and resentful.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
This vast gulf between us, not just as Americans but as human beings, has drained me of hope.
—Bao Phi, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Around 15 water reservoirs were drained as a result.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
On the final possession, Erickson drove to the middle of the lane and drained his jumper to snap UCI’s four-game winning streak in the head-to-head series.
—Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
There’s a lot that can happen in the final moments when the writing team and I are all kind drained of any creativity.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
One source close to the dressing room — speaking before this week’s developments and doing so anonymously to protect relationships — said some senior players can return from international duty feeling emotionally and mentally drained by the drama.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Williams drained a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, all on assists from Bynoe.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The spark for the Wolverines’ 11-2 run didn’t come from Khamenia or Dhaliwal, but from sophomore guard Sydney Yamaguchi, who drained two 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Increase heat to medium, add drained pasta; cook, stirring constantly, until a creamy sauce forms and clings to pasta, about 2 minutes.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
What starts as small talk always ends up in heated debates that leave me feeling drained and resentful.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Even hospital appointments were overwhelming, with bright lights leaving her drained and overstimulated.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
This vast gulf between us, not just as Americans but as human beings, has drained me of hope.
—Bao Phi, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Around 15 water reservoirs were drained as a result.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
On the final possession, Erickson drove to the middle of the lane and drained his jumper to snap UCI’s four-game winning streak in the head-to-head series.
—Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
There’s a lot that can happen in the final moments when the writing team and I are all kind drained of any creativity.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
One source close to the dressing room — speaking before this week’s developments and doing so anonymously to protect relationships — said some senior players can return from international duty feeling emotionally and mentally drained by the drama.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Williams drained a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, all on assists from Bynoe.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The spark for the Wolverines’ 11-2 run didn’t come from Khamenia or Dhaliwal, but from sophomore guard Sydney Yamaguchi, who drained two 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drained
Adjective
-
This stellar remnant is a white dwarf, the exhausted stellar core left over when a star around the same mass as the sun runs out of the fuel for nuclear fusion and sheds its outer layers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, an exhausted fan base watches on.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That fuel was pumped into vehicles by customers.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Laughton pumped his fist into the Philadelphia night.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Flames were shooting out of Flashbacks, her family’s beloved small-town diner, and there was nothing to do but watch as the building — part restaurant, part local history display, all community institution — was consumed by the blaze.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Afterward the plane could be seen on the runway, consumed in flame.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Many blue-city residents who have noticed a decrease in crime surely appreciate the safer streets, an environment that tired old No Kings boomers will never have to navigate.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Museums and ancient palaces in Darfur and El Geneina were destroyed or emptied.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Red Wings bench emptied onto the ice to celebrate with Kane after the goal.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Carrington spent his first two years at Minnesota before transferring to Tulsa last year and Wisconsin for this season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
-
To monitor how the tax revenue is being spent, periodic audits for each of the three categories of uses will be required, with the first of those due in 2029.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For the Los Angeles premiere of Marty Supreme, the two wore custom Chrome Hearts looks.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Emma Stone wore comfy, but sophisticated silk pants to a Louis Vuitton event in New York.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of sweetening it, the relatives clamped a sugar cube between their incisors and loudly sucked the tea through it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The pantyhose should keep the fabric from getting sucked up and damaged during the process.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drained. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
