Synonyms of draining

draining 1 of 2

adjective

as in exhausting

Related Words

• exhausting
• fatiguing
• debilitating
• enervating
• wearing
• demoralizing
• discouraging
• dispiriting
• disheartening
• enfeebling
• palling
• irritating
• annoying
• irksome
• bothersome
• unrewarding
• ordinary
• tepid
• sterile
• vapid
• cumbersome
• unsurprising
• uneventful
• gray
• pallid
• uninspiring
• unexciting
• inanimate
• unimaginative
• unexceptional
• soggy
• longsome
• commonplace
• lumbering
• blank
• unspectacular
• earthbound
• plodding
• pedantic
• aseptic
• unsensational
• prosaic
• undramatic
• dullish
• common
• barren
• spiritless
• unnewsworthy
• poky
• suspenseless
• blah
• prosy
• pleasureless

Dissimilar Words

• involving
• interesting
• absorbing
• engaging
• gripping
• engrossing
• intriguing
• surprising
• wonderful
• riveting
• stimulating
• amazing
• astonishing
• wondrous
• exciting
• spectacular
• stirring
• inspiring
• energizing
• awesome
• sensational
• astounding
• marvelous
• exhilarating
• entertaining
• moving
• electrifying
• thrilling
• amusing
• breathtaking
• fabulous
• animating
• rousing
• touching
• attracting
• charming
• attractive
• diverting
• fascinating
• enlivening
• invigorating
• galvanizing
• poignant
• enchanting
• alluring
• entrancing
• enthralling
• beguiling
• bewitching
• eye-opening
• rip-roaring
• hair-raising
• provocative
• suspenseful
• captivating
• tantalizing
• arresting
• spellbinding
• mesmerizing

draining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of drain

1

as in pumping

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely

we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pumping
• siphoning
• emptying
• sucking
• tapping
• bleeding
• drawing (off)
• evacuating
• cleaning
• drafting
• flushing
• exhausting
• milking
• purging
• depleting
• clearing
• vacating
• voiding
• decanting
• vacuating
• effusing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• filling
• washing
• soaking
• wetting
• bathing
• watering
• drenching
• flooding
• overflowing
• drowning
• dousing
• inundating
• submerging
• swamping
• sousing
• deluging

2

as in consuming

to make complete use of

virtually drained the country's natural resources

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exhausting
• consuming
• spending
• absorbing
• depleting
• reducing
• burning
• using
• emptying
• expending
• eating
• devouring
• decreasing
• wasting
• drawing down
• playing out
• running out of
• using up
• diminishing
• lowering
• sapping
• weakening
• dwindling
• downsizing
• undermining
• bankrupting
• impoverishing
• crippling
• lessening
• debilitating
• disabling
• enfeebling
• cleaning (out)
• blowing
• dissipating
• squandering
• abating
• de-escalating
• guzzling
• drying up
• lavishing
• running through
• frittering (away)
• throwing away
• misspending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• replacing
• increasing
• renewing
• enlarging
• reinforcing
• enforcing
• strengthening
• augmenting
• repairing
• restoring
• rebuilding
• preserving
• saving
• reviving
• conserving
• bolstering
• fortifying

3

as in killing

to use up all the physical energy of

the long hike drained us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exhausting
• killing
• wearing
• tiring
• busting
• harassing
• wasting
• wearying
• fatiguing
• breaking
• burning out
• knocking out
• wearing out
• sapping
• washing out
• fagging
• weakening
• doing in
• frazzling
• doing up
• outwearing
• enervating
• debilitating
• enfeebling
• tuckering (out)
• wearing to a frazzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthening
• activating
• energizing
• invigorating
• resting
• rejuvenating
• relaxing
• vitalizing
• unwinding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of draining

Adjective

Speaking of the part of van life spent behind the wheel, Volkswagen has slightly reworked the Grand California's driver-assistance suite to make driving a little less draining. — New Atlas, 10 July 2026

Others are voluntarily asking to see more patients because the most draining and time-consuming parts of their job are now handled by AI. — Fj Campbell, Fortune, 20 May 2026

Already carrying wider spans of control and shrinking development support, a manager operating against an outdated role definition is doing something more draining than managing a heavy workload. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026

Asch recommends finding a driver-friendly activity to make time on the road feel less draining, such as listening to an audiobook or podcast. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events. — Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025

By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

Make sure vents are unobstructed, check that the condensate drain is draining properly, and keep the area around the indoor unit clean and dry. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

After the nation’s July 4 celebration, workers began draining and repairing the pool to address the underlying problems. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

Before draining, scoop out about a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

For many leaders, that load builds continually and goes untouched, steadily draining both their leadership capacity and health. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The job search can be a draining process, especially when applications go unanswered, AI hysteria circles the internet, and interviews end with little to no feedback. — Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 28 July 2026

To ensure the best results, plant your fig tree in a location that receives full sunlight and has well-draining soil. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026

After going 3-under on the front nine, Scheffler turned his putter into final-round gold on the turn, draining birdie putts on the first three holes of the back-nine. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 July 2026

That figure undercuts the simplest version of the story, in which departing billionaires are draining capital from the state alongside their personal wealth. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026