1
as in pumps
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 exhausts
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drains
Naveen Kumar, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Make sure the water from dehumidifiers and air conditioners drains somewhere that easily dries up.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The success of this administrative shuffle will of course depend on whether its authority is sustainable or slowly drains away, but, at least for now, our Office of Curbed Management approves.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Choose a location that drains freely and has no standing water.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Track where sunlight falls throughout the day, note where wind picks up and confirm that water drains away from the area.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Years of use as a makeshift neighborhood have degraded the forest and contributed to pollution in Coyote Creek, which drains into San Francisco Bay, city leaders say.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The cinematography drains vitality from even its most visually obvious ideas with lighting that blunts the impact of nearly every other department.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Below, San Angelo gives us several methods for cleaning bathroom sink drains, her best tips on how to avoid a clogged bathroom sink, and what to avoid when cleaning your bathroom sink drain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
There’s a queerness to Mantello’s vision, including a blurring of gender associations that begins with its leads and radiates throughout, that ultimately drains the drama of its potency.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Make sure the water from dehumidifiers and air conditioners drains somewhere that easily dries up.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The success of this administrative shuffle will of course depend on whether its authority is sustainable or slowly drains away, but, at least for now, our Office of Curbed Management approves.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Choose a location that drains freely and has no standing water.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Track where sunlight falls throughout the day, note where wind picks up and confirm that water drains away from the area.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Years of use as a makeshift neighborhood have degraded the forest and contributed to pollution in Coyote Creek, which drains into San Francisco Bay, city leaders say.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The cinematography drains vitality from even its most visually obvious ideas with lighting that blunts the impact of nearly every other department.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
Descaling and Unclogging Uses Use cleaning vinegar to unclog stubborn drains by adding 1 cup of baking soda to your drain followed by 1 cup of cleaning vinegar, says Dills.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Below, San Angelo gives us several methods for cleaning bathroom sink drains, her best tips on how to avoid a clogged bathroom sink, and what to avoid when cleaning your bathroom sink drain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drains
Verb
-
To give this look a more contemporary feel, pair your trousers with a lace bodysuit and pumps like above.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Semi-official Iranian agency Mehr News said multiple strikes had been reported on the island, to which Iran pumps almost all of its crude production through underwater pipelines for export.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
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As the oil blockade quickly exhausts Cuba’s supply of fuel, triggering a series of lengthy, island-wide blackouts, many here are exhausted and are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire for fundamental changes in Cuba.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Students in Imam’s classes on the Old and New Testaments do tutorials in his office, reading essays aloud while Imam wears full academic regalia.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Kate Flannery wears an embroidered gown to the Normal premiere with Mary Lynn Rajskub in Los Angeles on April 15.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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About 20% of the world's oil flows throw the strait, and Iran's ability to block the flow of tankers has roiled the global economy, sending oil prices soaring.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Every weekday before dawn, Deltona empties itself onto I-4.—
Christopher Bellingham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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The bustling evening market, where locals gather for tacos, now empties out early.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The gifts will also be used to assess how the public consumes the content.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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There's a lot of discussion on the Hill on this right now, and there's concern about high healthcare prices, which consumes nearly one in $5 spent in the United States.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Vaccines against malaria, a disease that kills more than 400,000 people annually, most of them children under five in Africa, are now being introduced in 25 countries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
He’s considered a two-way winger, kills penalties and can play the net front on the power play.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Accentuated by sleek black trim on windows, doors, and gutters, and natural wood paneling at the entry, these features, combined with clean walkway lines, deliver a stunning contemporary touch to the exterior.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
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Remove debris from gutters and at the base of downspouts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drains. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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