1
as in to pump
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spend
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
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3
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drain
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, reserving 237 milliliters (1 cup) of pasta water before draining.
—Francesca Giuliani Hoffman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Corporations were going down the drain in the 1930s.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
Once the second half commenced, BC High drained the clock for the majority of the third quarter, before putting the pedal to the medal in the final stanza.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, reserving 237 milliliters (1 cup) of pasta water before draining.
—Francesca Giuliani Hoffman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Noun
Now her medical research is down the drain, writes columnist Mark Z. Barabak.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Corporations were going down the drain in the 1930s.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
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Still, on May 4, India lowered sluice gates at the Baglihar dam, effectively reducing the downstream flow to Pakistan through the Chenab River by up to 90%, according to the Hindustan Times.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 May 2025
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This option returns the pond to its full former glory including sluice gate repair, dredging the full pond area and recreational enhancements to include 5.7 acres of open water and two fishing platforms.—
Erik S. Hanley,
Journal Sentinel,
9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Pulmonary Embolism This can cause shortness of breath because a blood clot blocks one or more lung arteries, reducing blood flow and oxygen exchange.—
Emily Brown,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2025
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What’s needed is sharper context in the flow of work.—
Saurabh Jain,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Peels can create a huge mess in the drainpipes down the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
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Nesting materials clog up gutters and drainpipes and lead to water or mold damage.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Crucial to unpicking this puzzling relationship between a galaxy and its central black hole, the researchers note, is understanding the nature of the powerful outflows of gas expelled from around black holes like a cosmic wind.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
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JPMorgan found Apple led the outflows among single stocks, with retail investors pulling about $400 million in the period.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The developer also would improve and widen streets, including Burlington Avenue and Tuthill Road, to meet city standards, with a 28-foot width, curbs, gutters and storm sewer infrastructure, said Vince Rosanova, attorney for the project.—
Marie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The city asked for a new curb and gutter and sidewalk across the length of the frontage, which would destroy the trees there.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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