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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain (away)
Verb
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Walker said other states have removed the asset calculation and found the error rates have decreased, which means that more federal dollars go toward the SNAP program recipients.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026 -
Robocalls have decreased nationally and in the Chicago area over the past 12 months, in part due to newer federal regulations.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Extensive research shows that insufficient sleep is associated with impaired cognitive function, chronic health problems, diminished productivity and an increase in traffic accidents, just to name a few.—
Stephen Neely,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
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One concern is cognitive offloading, in which decision-makers defer too readily to algorithmic recommendations, effectively diminishing human accountability for strategic choices.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While a surge in outmigration from the Valley unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work has subsided, more residents are still leaving the region than arriving from other parts of the United States.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Andrii Yalanskyi/Getty Images While recent news showing inflation dropping, unemployment declining and stock market performance roaring are all encouraging for Americans, the reality is that the economic troubles of recent years will take an extended period of time to subside.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Bonta’s office declined to comment.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.—
Brynn Tannehill,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
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The rain will continue most of Tuesday night, tapering off around dawn on Wednesday.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Contestants continued to fall away one by one until only three remained at the end of Round 8.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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In those moments, the abstraction falls away, the melodies find somewhere to land, and her vocal performances can soar.—
Precious Fondren,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unlike Israel, Palestinian cities have no warning sirens or bomb shelters, despite the risk of falling debris or errant missiles.—
CLAUDIA CIOBANU,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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Even if some kilns had continued producing ceramics, the Yuan Dynasty fell in 1368 and the first Ming emperor banned commercial trade around 1371, so even conservative estimates for dating the shipwreck still fall between the late 1320s and 1371, according to the study.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Drain (away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain%20%28away%29. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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