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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1
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drain
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
These clocks will, unfortunately, drain your batteries a little quicker but probably not fast enough to really take notice.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
She’s had two engineering assessments conducted on her house, paid about $15,000 out of pocket to add a new drain system, install waterproofing layers, and repair the side of her house, but nothing has kept water away.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Verb
Inspectors said the handwashing sink was draining too slowly.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
These clocks will, unfortunately, drain your batteries a little quicker but probably not fast enough to really take notice.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Noun
Key Insights: Resource drain: Prolonged negotiations drain resources that could be used elsewhere in the business.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
She’s had two engineering assessments conducted on her house, paid about $15,000 out of pocket to add a new drain system, install waterproofing layers, and repair the side of her house, but nothing has kept water away.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The studio took a wellness-forward approach to their design, wanting to highlight the connection to water by creating an organic sense of flow between the outdoor and indoor areas, utilizing the same inside and out to create a gentle progression between spaces.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
25 May 2025
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An enhanced sense of flow was brought into the kitchen, where circulation paths were reconfigured and a large marble island was added.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
25 May 2025
Noun
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In January 1980, at a federal prison in Lompoc, Boyce hid in a drainpipe and sprinted to freedom over a fence.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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Peels can create a huge mess in the drainpipes down the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Crucial to unpicking this puzzling relationship between a galaxy and its central black hole, the researchers note, is understanding the nature of the powerful outflows of gas expelled from around black holes like a cosmic wind.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
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JPMorgan found Apple led the outflows among single stocks, with retail investors pulling about $400 million in the period.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The developer also would improve and widen streets, including Burlington Avenue and Tuthill Road, to meet city standards, with a 28-foot width, curbs, gutters and storm sewer infrastructure, said Vince Rosanova, attorney for the project.—
Marie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The city asked for a new curb and gutter and sidewalk across the length of the frontage, which would destroy the trees there.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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