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

This is a good time to organize the list, clarify expectations, or make a routine feel less draining. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

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

To deodorize and tackle slow-draining sinks, sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain before pouring a generous amount of apple cider vinegar. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026

For best results, focus on giving your ficus well-draining soil and plenty of bright, partial light. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026

Sounds occur in slow-draining sinks when there’s a clog that’s creating a suction pull in the p-trap, which might need a professional to tackle. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026

Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Also, standard air conditioners depend on noisy, energy-draining mechanical compressors. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

His dedication to the civil service had suffocated him over time, draining his hope and also impoverishing his lifestyle by a thousand cuts. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

While agreement remains elusive, the world’s oil markets must confront draining crude reserves. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

The nozzle assembly swung into the opening on the robot, and water began flowing through the basket and draining back out through the drain hose. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026