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
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Treatment may include draining the abscess, and some people may also need a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils).9
How to Ease Throat Pain
Throat pain treatment is often focused on relieving the underlying cause.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2025
India Nye Wenner, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Fruit flies will also target places where food is disposed of, like your trash bins or drains.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
The latest loss was emotionally draining for the Clippers after their rally from a 22-point deficit fell just short.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Treatment may include draining the abscess, and some people may also need a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils).9
How to Ease Throat Pain
Throat pain treatment is often focused on relieving the underlying cause.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
That a tree left standing in the forest was money down the drain.
—India Nye Wenner, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Fruit flies will also target places where food is disposed of, like your trash bins or drains.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
-
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
-
In 2014, Kyrgyz and Tajik conscripts exchanged fire over a strategic sluice in Ak-Sai.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Aug. 2016
Noun
-
The store is designed with an easy flow of boutiques, each housing different day and evening clothes and accessories, from Zara’s more sophisticated ready-to-wear and tailored looks, to the brand’s trendy and casual styles.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 May 2025
-
India's decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement that manages the flow of the Indus River basin that runs between the two nations, has especially fueled concerns in Pakistan of an attempt to halt water entering the country.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Peels can create a huge mess in the drainpipes down the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Nesting materials clog up gutters and drainpipes and lead to water or mold damage.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
However, Indian officials said the excessive outflow of goods was creating congestion at these logistics chokepoints and escalating costs.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Extending across the left side of the image is a narrow, colorful outflow called a jet, which comes from the nearby protostar HOPS 153, out of frame.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Clean gutters at least twice a year and check the base of downspouts to make sure water can flow freely.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
-
With the prior landscaping experience, he was assigned outdoor duties ranging from climbing onto the roof to clean gutters, to scraping sediment from a parking lot, laying pine straw, and grinding paint from a stairwell.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share