1
as in pumping
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 consuming
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in exhausting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of draining
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
Parents supporting their children’s tuition can now pursue their own degrees without draining family finances.
—Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Lower basin states, meanwhile, have failed to adjust their use to compensate for the drought, draining the reserves in Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
Under heat stress, the algae leave their coral homes, draining reefs of nutrition and color.
—Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
If root rot may be an issue, repot the plant in fresh soil, and make sure to use a well-draining pot that will keep the soil from becoming too soggy in the future.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
This game was equal parts gutsy, gritty, emotional, inspiring and draining.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For someone who was simply trying to enjoy their time, this constant criticism was draining.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Soundbar Deals The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus instantly enhances the sound on any TV without taking over your entire living room or draining your wallet.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The region’s cool climate, long sunny days, and well-draining soils create the ideal conditions for producing crisp, aromatic wines with vibrant fruit flavors.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
Parents supporting their children’s tuition can now pursue their own degrees without draining family finances.
—Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Lower basin states, meanwhile, have failed to adjust their use to compensate for the drought, draining the reserves in Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
Under heat stress, the algae leave their coral homes, draining reefs of nutrition and color.
—Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
If root rot may be an issue, repot the plant in fresh soil, and make sure to use a well-draining pot that will keep the soil from becoming too soggy in the future.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
This game was equal parts gutsy, gritty, emotional, inspiring and draining.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For someone who was simply trying to enjoy their time, this constant criticism was draining.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Soundbar Deals The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus instantly enhances the sound on any TV without taking over your entire living room or draining your wallet.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for draining
Verb
-
Overnight on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military, a gas processing facility and pumping station in the Volgograd region of southern Russia were also hit.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Kirby was rolling through five shutout innings, pumping strike after strike past the Tigers.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Betelgeuse, formally known as Alpha Orionis, will one day end its life in a spectacular supernova explosion upon exhausting the last of its fuel, which could be as bright as the full moon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The policy at hand says district employees aren’t allowed to physically restrain a student except in emergency situations when a student’s behavior is immediately dangerous and after exhausting less intrusive alternatives.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Benson was on the ice killing penalties, the Sabres generated two scoring chances and allowed zero.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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But Halfmann suspects this hair-trigger system is needlessly killing brain cells in diseases like Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Grand Luna has an unprecedented high-frequency extension that goes as high as 30kHz, while remaining smooth, non-fatiguing, and eliminating harshness or sibilance thanks to Campfire’s acoustic engineering.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Battery life can be affected by many factors, but the MX Master 4’s haptic feedback is probably the most battery-sucking feature on the new mouse.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Eddie is happy to sit in the corner with Shane, sucking on his new veneers, and let the women tear each other to shreds, never getting involved.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The term broadly refers to working out while consuming only slightly more calories than the body needs to maintain itself, and getting those calories from healthy sources.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2025
-
There are no known health risks associated with consuming too much vitamin K.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like the rest of the staff, Darwent is wearing a Newcastle tracksuit rather than a suit and tie.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And the combination of four-wheel drive and Michelin Cup 2 R tires delivers so much traction (on dry asphalt, at least) that the car seems to be wearing running spikes.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next three years, Lia would develop a perplexing, debilitating, and persistent set of symptoms.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
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The debilitating long-term illness affects millions worldwide, including more than 400,000 people in the UK, but has long lacked a definitive diagnostic tool.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Draining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draining. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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