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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain (away)

Verb

Winds will very slowly decrease late Saturday night into early Sunday morning behind the cold front.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
What else changes Although officer staffing has fallen in recent years, violent crime has also decreased by about 40% since 2021, according to IMPD data.

— Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Employees need clarity on how new skills connect to opportunities and confidence that AI will enhance, not diminish, their value in the organization.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
If the senator’s moralism has been unfettered by his stroke, with a shift toward right-brain moralistic processing, that does not diminish his sincere intent or its effect.

— Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

His attorney, Daniel Gerdts, declined to comment after the hearing.

— TIM SULLIVAN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
There are also discussions about an adjacent White House meeting with AI CEOs next week, which House Majority Leader Mike Johnson referenced, but a representative for the speaker declined to provide further details.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Crags barely visible from the ground reared up above us, and deep crevasses fell away below.

— Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
Fading Leaves As plants channel energy toward their roots and stop growing, their leaves may begin to yellow or fall away entirely.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of fall away

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.

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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 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of drain (away)

verb

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