drains 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of drain
1
as in pumps
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

drains

2 of 2

noun

plural of drain
1
as in sluices

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2
as in flows

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drains
Verb
Nutrient leaching when water drains out of containers and baskets adds to the problem. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026 The minerals are absorbed through the skin, boosting circulation and inducing a sweat that drains away the toxins. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 In areas with valleys or basins, cooler and denser air drains downhill and pools in low spots overnight, a process known as cold-air pooling. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Make sure to empty any excess water that drains into the saucer to keep the roots from getting soggy. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 If a demanding day drains you, take a short break before making a purchase. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026 In cool mode, the fan often stays on while the compressor shuts off, which continuously drains power just to push room-temperature air. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 June 2026 The sensation, and the tranquility that comes with it, will stay with you long after the water drains away. — Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 15 June 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
  1. pumps
  2. exhausts
  3. wears
  4. gutters
  5. flows
  6. empties
  7. consumes
  8. kills
Verb
  • The crustacean also has a sizable recreational and commercial fishery, which pumps significant money into the state’s economy, the department said.
    — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • At Royal Ascot in June, Camilla closed the meeting in sand suede Eliot Zed pumps with a bespoke honey heel after three consecutive days in Chanel.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
Definition of pumps
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
Definition of exhausts
Verb
  • In the image, Camilla wears a bright blue dress and a diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch, which was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • The custodian of this jewel is Amrit Maan, the fourth-generation owner of The Punjab and a man who wears more hats than any one human should reasonably be expected to.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of wears
Noun
  • Rain barrel water, for example, is collected from rooftops and gutters where bird droppings and other contaminants may be present.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
  • Other work includes upgrading traffic signals, improving sidewalks, curbs and gutters, adding new pavement markings and signs, and making utility adjustments.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of gutters
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
Definition of flows
Verb
  • Eufy Robot Vacuum and Mop Deal The Eufy Omni C20 vacuum and mop offers a hands-free clean with an Omni Station that automatically empties dust, plus washes and dries its own mop pads.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026
  • Plus, its dock automatically empties the dustbin, washes and dries the mop pads, and can go up to 65 days between dustbin changes.
    — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 23 June 2026
Definition of empties
Verb
  • Clinical judgment will continue to be exercised, just freed from the administrative burden that consumes most of the day.
    — Adam Farren, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • If the human body has a limited energy budget, trade-offs will naturally arise when one biological process consumes more than its typical share.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
Definition of consumes
Verb
  • Thicker components typically mean massive internal resistance, which kills electrical current.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • In contrast, spraying visible ants often kills only a small portion of the colony while leaving the nest intact, with millions of workers ready to replace the small population killed by a contact spray.
    — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of kills

Browse Nearby Words

drainpipes
drains
drains (away)
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Cite this Entry

“Drains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drains. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drains

Nglish: Translation of drains for Spanish Speakers

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