1
as in to pump
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spend
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of drain
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Ensure it is potted in well-draining soil and only water when the soil feels dry.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The device is completed by caps of crystalline silicon at each end, the source and drain.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
Just let the hose wash the fish for 10 minutes or so to drain away as much slime as possible, then wipe the fish down with paper towels before putting it on the cutting board.
—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Ensure it is potted in well-draining soil and only water when the soil feels dry.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 June 2026
Noun
Bottom line Reverse mortgages can be a life-saving strategy for staying in your home — or an expensive drain on your home equity.
—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The device is completed by caps of crystalline silicon at each end, the source and drain.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Verb
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
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After the pressure was released through the crack, emergency crews peeled back the tank’s external wall and insulation to pump water inside to cool it down.
Verb
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As Kennedy and Bessette spend more time together and grow closer, her intimidation of the spotlight and fear of invasive paparazzi often create tension in their relationship, despite his attempts to calm the situation.
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Clare joins me now to share why readers are spending real time and money to live inside their favorite fictional stories.
Verb
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The mother of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Manhattan is demanding justice for her son.
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The one-two punch wreaked massive destruction throughout the region, killing at least 235 and wounding more than 4,300.
Noun
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Dam Removal Europe found that the number of dams dismantled in 2025, along with other water-flow controls like weirs, culverts and sluices, grew by 11% from the year before.
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The archways are furnished with sluice gates that can open to allow excess water to pass through in periods of flooding.
Noun
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He Tingbo has explained the logic through the example of Dujiangyan, the ancient irrigation system in Sichuan that solved a water-distribution problem by redirecting flow rather than overpowering it.
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Changes can be large enough to make a well flow at land surface, or to cause a well to go dry near an earthquake.
Verb
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But the days of weak attempts to siphon your information are over.
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Traditional 11-man coaches question whether adding boys’ flag will siphon players from tackle programs and spring track, raising concerns about competitive balance, scheduling and limited athlete pools at smaller campuses.
Verb
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Certain people should be especially mindful about consuming chocolate chips.
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Some blooms can be consumed or mixed into elixirs, bringing aesthetic charm, subtle flavor, and wellness benefits to your dishes and routine.
Verb
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
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The key to modernizing the pinkish-orange color in 2026 is to wear it in loose, easy silhouettes.
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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