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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain (away)

Verb

Once their ships turned away, the tension dramatically decreased, though hours later China Coast Guard ships could be seen in the distance still shadowing the Philippine vessels.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Air pollution is severe in many cities and industrial regions and is estimated to have caused the average life expectancy of Indians to decrease by more than three years in 2022.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

The flood of content drew more young people into the demonstrations and underscored the diminishing influence of traditional media in India among Gen Z.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Workers seek transparency regarding AI's impact on their roles, assurance against job losses, and confidence that their value isn't diminished.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Instead, the most effective strategy is a deliberate, brief pause—just long enough to let reflexes subside and allow judgment to catch up.

— Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Water levels may remain elevated through the next high tide cycle along the Louisiana and Texas coastline but should subside thereafter.

— MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The rain will be tapering off and skies will be clearing in the afternoon.

— Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026
The rain was expected to taper off, but another round of showers worsened already swollen rivers and flooded rural communities near the border with Mexico that had largely been spared major damage.

— Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of taper off

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.

Browse Nearby Words

drain

drain (away)

drained

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of drain (away)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes