Synonyms of siphon

siphon

verb

variants also syphon

1

as in to drain

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely

I let the stranded motorist siphon some of my gas so he could be on his way

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drain
• pump
• tap
• suck
• draw (off)
• empty
• bleed
• evacuate
• draft
• clean
• flush
• milk
• purge
• exhaust
• void
• vacate
• deplete
• clear
• vacuate
• decant
• effuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• water
• wash
• soak
• bathe
• drench
• wet
• flood
• overflow
• drown
• douse
• inundate
• swamp
• submerge
• souse
• deluge

2

as in to funnel

to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway

investigators discovered that the so-called charitable organization was siphoning funds for personal use

Synonyms & Similar Words

• funnel
• direct
• pipe
• channel
• carry
• conduct
• channelize
• canalize
• focus
• transmit
• convey
• consolidate
• concentrate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of siphon

At each step in this chain, a portion of the electrons’ energy is siphoned off to pump protons across a membrane—Mitchell’s great insight—and the pressure of those protons rushing back through a molecular turbine is what makes ATP. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Hope’s opponents in the case gained support from the state Board of Education, which argued the program siphoned money away from public schools. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office arrested four men who allegedly drove around siphoning hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel from semi-trucks over the past few months. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Sales tax growth above that threshold will be siphoned off to pay down stadium debt. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026