DRAIN (AWAY) Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

drain (away)

verb

Definition of drain (away)

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually as the city lost population, its political influence drained away

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain (away)

Verb

As would be expected, oil demand was forced to decrease, to match available supply.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Only 15% believed the statements would decrease the patients’ likelihood of seeking treatment—even though that's what tended to happen in the researchers' simulations.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Instead, the fresh requirements appeared to diminish prospects for a quick deal, despite optimism last week an agreement was near.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
But they’ve never been litigated — and the developments are already stoking fears of diminishing Fed independence as the central bank weighs whether to raise interest rates at its next meeting.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

That said, living in the South means there’s still a ways to go before the heat subsides, and until then, breathable summer staples will continue to define my outfits.

— Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026
While the rain is expected to mostly subside by Saturday, temperatures will hover near the 90s through Sunday and into next week.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.

— Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
And the university, which declined an interview request about the new program, is not the first to offer content creation courses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

As the ribbon of asphalt climbs, clinging to rocky hillsides, the wall of trees falls away at times, revealing plunging canyons.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026
The fragmentation of dementia sometimes makes David’s consciousness more sharply attuned to things, while entire other swaths of life fall away.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall away

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drain

drain (away)

drained

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“Drain (away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain%20%28away%29. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of drain (away)

verb

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