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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drain
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
The biggest shock of the evening, though, was the scene at the 28th Street 1 station in Chelsea, where riders watched a brownish geyser erupt several feet in the air from a drain in front of the uptown platform’s turnstile.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 July 2025
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
The Sprague River, which drains the lands around Mount Mazuma, a key source of phosphorus, needs to be replumbed back to its old meandering ways and chock full of water plants to hold the phosphorus back.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
At that moment, Burke felt the color drain from her face.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
The biggest shock of the evening, though, was the scene at the 28th Street 1 station in Chelsea, where riders watched a brownish geyser erupt several feet in the air from a drain in front of the uptown platform’s turnstile.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 July 2025
Verb
Second, check for water that’s not draining properly.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
The Sprague River, which drains the lands around Mount Mazuma, a key source of phosphorus, needs to be replumbed back to its old meandering ways and chock full of water plants to hold the phosphorus back.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
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During an extreme-rainfall event, the force of the water cascading down these straightened sluices meets with no resistance from meanders, and a river often has no way of reaching its floodplains—frequently now developed—which could absorb and store some runoff.—
John Seabrook,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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The focus is on the Bangs Lake outfall control structure, which is currently maintained by manually making adjustments to the sluice gate.—
Gregory Harutunian,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
Noun
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While moisture has surged into Arizona at times, the region hasn’t had a sustained southeast flow to ignite widespread storms.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Israel has at times closed off the flow of aid into the strip, citing concerns about smuggling and looting by Hamas.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Scientists determined that the crustaceans had become trapped in the sewers some 2,000 years ago when Rome was becoming urbanized and had lived there ever since—not just below Trajan’s Forum but in an entire system of canals, drainpipes and other watery infrastructure hidden below city streets.—
Krista Langlois,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 July 2025
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Unofficial trend barometer Bella Hadid has also been spotted in tight drainpipe denim (styled with chunky boots) during a recent trip to Rome, while Lila Moss carries on the family name by pioneering the skinny style just like her mother.by pioneering the skinny style just like her mother.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Here are the top 10 U.S. cities retirees fled in 2023, ranked by the highest net outflow of people aged 60 and over.—
Natalie Wu,
CNBC,
20 July 2025
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In Beijing’s view, it’s gone above and beyond international norms to stem the outflow of the drug and its component chemicals from its vast pharmaceuticals sector.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The city aims to sweep every public street with a curb and a gutter at least once a month from February through October, picking up small pieces of litter and debris that can clog storm drains.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
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The road work includes the installation of new curb and gutter as well as storm drainage improvements. Detour routes will be in place using Mt. Hebron, Garrett and Rainbow roads, the release states.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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