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
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Overthinking at work drains emotional energy because your brain never fully relaxes.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The Mighty Mississippi ⛴️ Flowing about 2,350 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf in Louisiana, the Mississippi River borders 10 states and drains an area stretching from western New York to most of Wyoming.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Make sure the soil at the planting site drains within one hour following heavy rain, as peach trees do not tolerate soggy soil.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Field observations noted that a manhole at the location was spilling into an area roughly 100 feet by 10 feet, with runoff entering a stream that drains into the tributary.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 27 May 2026
If your dishwasher drains directly outside of the home, consider re-routing it to the sink.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 22 May 2026
If your grocery bill already feels high, laundry detergent is one of those sneaky household costs that quietly drains your budget week after week.
—Ryan Brennan
may 13, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
For phones, there's not much that drains their battery as fast as playing demanding games, and PC games designed for dedicated desktop and laptop hardware are certainly demanding.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 7 May 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
Set a clearer end time today so work supports wellbeing rather than drains it.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Overthinking at work drains emotional energy because your brain never fully relaxes.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The Mighty Mississippi ⛴️ Flowing about 2,350 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf in Louisiana, the Mississippi River borders 10 states and drains an area stretching from western New York to most of Wyoming.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Make sure the soil at the planting site drains within one hour following heavy rain, as peach trees do not tolerate soggy soil.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Field observations noted that a manhole at the location was spilling into an area roughly 100 feet by 10 feet, with runoff entering a stream that drains into the tributary.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 27 May 2026
If your dishwasher drains directly outside of the home, consider re-routing it to the sink.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 22 May 2026
If your grocery bill already feels high, laundry detergent is one of those sneaky household costs that quietly drains your budget week after week.
—Ryan Brennan
may 13, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
For phones, there's not much that drains their battery as fast as playing demanding games, and PC games designed for dedicated desktop and laptop hardware are certainly demanding.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 7 May 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
-
The actress opted for the romantic I Love Vivier pumps from the I Love Vivier collection, which celebrates the theme of love.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
Diesel fuel is used by the tractors, harvesters, and irrigation pumps farmers heavily rely on.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Watching this scene, and much of the film, exhausts me.—
Jenny Odell,
Longreads,
2 June 2026
-
If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The formula leaves skin with a velvety matte, poreless finish and wears beautifully under makeup thanks to its blurring effect.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
-
Kate Middleton often wears styles in bright, bold colors with contrasting white collars and cuffs, an element Diana also often employed.—
Giorgia Olivieri,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Clean out bird baths regularly, or get rid of them altogether if the population is large, and clean your gutters regularly to get rid of standing water or damp debris where these flies may lay eggs.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
-
Clear all rain gutters so water can safely flow away from your home.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Simone empties out the frivolities and installs her unique despair.—
Wesley Morris,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
-
Flores checks for spills, then empties the mug back into the pot by hand and does it again — hundreds of times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
When the algae die and decompose, the process consumes oxygen that fish need to survive.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
-
The brain itself consumes roughly 20-25% of resting metabolic energy in humans, compared to just 3-4% in most mammals.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal, which was first announced last month, kills a ballot measure effort that could have cost San Diego $300 million by prohibiting the city from collecting anything for trash service during fiscal years 2028 and 2029.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
In 1995, Guidera landed the role of Robbie Llywelyn, the diabetic man that Natasha Henstridge’s Sil kills in Roger Donaldson’s Species.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drains. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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