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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of drain
Malana Vantyler, Ascend Agency, 6 Nov. 2025
Repetition and emotional intensity can also be draining.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2025
The drain outlets feature 40-mm valves for attaching a hose to better manage and direct the drainage flow or connect to a campsite drainage hookup.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
Source clarity can save time and reduce the back-and-forth that drains energy during tight deadlines.
—Malana Vantyler, Ascend Agency, 6 Nov. 2025
Repetition and emotional intensity can also be draining.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
One of its permits was expired and there were drain flies in the kitchen area.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2025
The drain outlets feature 40-mm valves for attaching a hose to better manage and direct the drainage flow or connect to a campsite drainage hookup.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
-
Charlie got into the shower, letting the hot water sluice off the rest of the blood on her back and whatever had dried in her hair.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Mauna Lani staff still manage the ponds in the traditional way: Ocean tides bring fish in through a series of wooden sluice gates.—
Samantha Dunn,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Now, Tapachula is experiencing a reverse migration, as the United States sends planeload after planeload of deportees to the southern part of Mexico while the flow of migrants headed north has dried up.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
While high-risk inmates have been isolated in individual cells, the flow of information never truly stops, said Christino.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Peels can create a huge mess in the drainpipes down the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The rattlesnake named Gertrude, or Gertie, took shelter in the opening of a drainpipe earlier this summer and gave birth around late July or early August at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the Detroit Free Press previously reported.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Strong inflows from Asia more than offset outflows in the Americas, where UBS this week applied for a US banking license.—
Reuters 18 hr ago,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
That outflow emerges at a layer called the tropopause, which marks the boundary between the troposphere (where Earth’s weather happens) and the overlying stratosphere.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Residents who live on private streets and properties without curbs or gutters don’t qualify for a visit from the Claw.—
Sarah Linn
November 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In these cases, leaves are often required to be piled in the right-of-way rather than street gutter to minimize mess and clogged drains.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share