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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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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1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drain
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 31 Aug. 2025
The roof drain was rerouted to the main drain in the middle of the school; the main drain is a 12-inch pipe that can hold more water, Elliott said.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Green lasers typically consume more power, which means a handheld device can drain its battery much faster if nothing else is optimized.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
But top city leaders are pushing back on the idea as a potential drain to Indy's tax base and a detriment to civic accountability.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 31 Aug. 2025
The roof drain was rerouted to the main drain in the middle of the school; the main drain is a 12-inch pipe that can hold more water, Elliott said.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Most such bogs have been drained for cropland, and several European governments are wondering whether to revive them, Politico reported.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Green lasers typically consume more power, which means a handheld device can drain its battery much faster if nothing else is optimized.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
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Gas flow also affects stellar initial masses In another study, published in July 2025, astrophysicist Ke-Jung Chen led a research group at the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics using a detailed computer simulation that modeled how gas in the early universe may have flowed.—
Luke Keller,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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In its early releases, Porsche has not defined the point where the electric motors hand off to the flow of hot exhaust gases, but the results are maximum torque all the way to 6000 rpm.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Peels can create a huge mess in the drainpipes down the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Aug. 2025
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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
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For the first time, a team of Japanese astronomers has captured clear images of jets and outflows from a young star forming in the far reaches of our Milky Way.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
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Any thunderstorm activity will be capable of producing heavy rain, dry lightning strikes (outside of the rain cores) and gusty outflow winds.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bolster or reattach sagging gutters, tighten up screws, and seal any cracks or leaks with gutter sealant.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
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Remove standing water from your flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet dishes, or birdbaths.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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