drain 1 of 2

Definition of drainnext

drain

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of drain are bankrupt, deplete, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When might bankrupt be a better fit than drain?

The synonyms bankrupt and drain are sometimes interchangeable, but bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When can deplete be used instead of drain?

Although the words deplete and drain have much in common, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

When is exhaust a more appropriate choice than drain?

In some situations, the words exhaust and drain are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

When would impoverish be a good substitute for drain?

The words impoverish and drain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

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 drain
Verb
As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and energy stockpiles are drained, experts fear there will be more pain to come. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 June 2026 Where Water Pools Avoid planting trees in areas of your landscape where water pools and is slow to drain. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Noun
Dozens of young girls unexpectedly emerged from a drain in the patio of a Rockland County restaurant Wednesday after taking an unauthorized trek underground. Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 10 June 2026 For those who worry that immigrants are a net drain on public finances, the evidence points the other way. Andrew Tisch, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Verb
  • Initial reports indicated that the victim was pumping gas outside his vehicle when he was approached by a gunman, wearing a gray winter coat, brown pants, and brown shoes.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
  • Michigan Potash would use a process known as solution mining, which would pump heated water and brine (concentrated salt water) into a deep geologic formation known as the A1 Evaporite.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • Last week, guests including creative director Terrence O’Connor, gallerist Hannah Traore, and actor Yesly Dimate spent two days in New York’s Adirondack mountains.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The office said on July 14, 2022, without lawful justification and with intent to kill, Quinones-Herstad stabbed Gonzalez-Alarcon, 55, multiple times with a knife, killing her.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Then in 1999, alleging that related terrorist bombings had continued, Russia again invaded in a second war that would flatten capital city Grozny and kill thousands more people.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Some residents said the country club contribues to flooding by opening its sluice gate when rain is forecast.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The farm also offers other events including a sweet pea maze (included with admission), $8 wagon tours, gold sluice mining, wine tasting, crafts, yoga, sound baths and more at additional cost.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Her signature treatment integrates TMJ release, fascia work and rebalancing techniques to harmonize structure and flow.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 7 Dec. 2025
  • Yet rivers remain at risk as polluting corporations and governmental activities violate their vitalizing flow.
    Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • And both were in more comfortable distances on third downs, siphoning off sacks to four for a Broncos team that had been averaging nearly five per game.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025
  • The Legislature set aside money in 2022 for such projects and while some of the money has been siphoned off, enough remains to move forward in small steps.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Most products are safe to consume beyond the date listed on the packaging.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • Drinking hibiscus tea daily is unlikely to cause problems when consumed in moderation.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • When a group of six fans wearing white t-shirts with the pre-revolution flag emblazoned on the fronts tried to enter, they were stopped by a security staffer, who called over her supervisor.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Many fans have worn the pre-revolutionary flag of the sun and lion that FIFA had banned inside stadiums.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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