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
Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Dramatic rescue: Firefighters pulled an 8-year-old girl from a sewer drain after she was trapped for seven hours in Guizhou, China.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
This could lead to feeling emotionally drained or overwhelmed, but the key is to confront what’s hidden beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
Flushing drains with boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or enzymatic cleaners can help dissolve organic residue.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Dramatic rescue: Firefighters pulled an 8-year-old girl from a sewer drain after she was trapped for seven hours in Guizhou, China.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
That might be true, but using the larger internal screen will drain the battery faster and could leave you looking for a charger in the evening.
—ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
This could lead to feeling emotionally drained or overwhelmed, but the key is to confront what’s hidden beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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That’s because the quick-drying fabric of these pants is perforated throughout, promoting air flow on hot, humid days.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
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Six bombs or missiles reportedly targeted entry and exit points to block attempts to evacuate the building and disrupt air flow inside.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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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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Israel and Greece would also try to stymie a pan-Turkic outflow of funds and power thrusting a combative Erdogan into their zones of influence.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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There’s also a jetty near New Smyrna’s beach that creates outflows of freshwater and waves that attract surfers from around the world.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The project also includes the addition of a new multi-use path and drainage improvements including storm sewer installation, water main upgrades, construction of detention ponds and curb and gutter replacement, officials said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
3 July 2025
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Most houses come equipped with those 24-inch long gutter extenders that do a great job of directing the water away from the foundation but deposit all that stormwater right onto the lawn.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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