variants
also syphoning
1
as in pumping
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in funneling
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of siphoning
To service it, the government alleged, Mizuhara himself became a criminal, taking control of one of Ohtani’s bank accounts and siphoning almost $17 million from the superstar.
—
David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
High-profile failures, such as rogue employees at exchanges siphoning funds or misuse of this data in open banking, have made regulators wary.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But an unseen companion like a neutron star could be siphoning material away from the larger star — and that may have been enough to release a burst of radio waves, Blanchard said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
To pay those claims, Los Angeles has to dip into its General Fund, siphoning millions away from libraries, parks, schools, and other social services.
—Adam Kovacevich, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
The unusually large size of this bulge compared with the galaxy’s disk is possibly thanks to UGC 10043 siphoning material from a nearby dwarf galaxy.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the thieves began siphoning syrup directly from the barrels in the reserve without refilling them.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Investigators accuse her and dozens of accomplices of taking loans and cash through a web of thousands of shell companies over more than a decade – siphoning off what amounts to a total of $44 billion.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
The elements of the theft are similar to its real-world model — taking barrels, siphoning the syrup, replacing it with water and putting the barrels back — though where the actual crime took place over months, here an artificial ticking clock requires that it be accomplished within days.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
High-profile failures, such as rogue employees at exchanges siphoning funds or misuse of this data in open banking, have made regulators wary.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But an unseen companion like a neutron star could be siphoning material away from the larger star — and that may have been enough to release a burst of radio waves, Blanchard said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
To pay those claims, Los Angeles has to dip into its General Fund, siphoning millions away from libraries, parks, schools, and other social services.
—Adam Kovacevich, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025
The unusually large size of this bulge compared with the galaxy’s disk is possibly thanks to UGC 10043 siphoning material from a nearby dwarf galaxy.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the thieves began siphoning syrup directly from the barrels in the reserve without refilling them.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Investigators accuse her and dozens of accomplices of taking loans and cash through a web of thousands of shell companies over more than a decade – siphoning off what amounts to a total of $44 billion.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
The elements of the theft are similar to its real-world model — taking barrels, siphoning the syrup, replacing it with water and putting the barrels back — though where the actual crime took place over months, here an artificial ticking clock requires that it be accomplished within days.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for siphoning
Verb
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In place of the pumping house music typical of Venice red carpets, a somber ambient score accompanied the arrival, as festival chief Alberto Barbera walked arm in arm with Ben Hania into the Sala Grande Cinema.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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Along with fist-pumping volume, the PartyBox 720 is the largest JBL party speaker that can run off battery power.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With the Luxury Tax system, clubs over a particular threshold, as well as in multiple years, and by how much, have created penalties paid by these clubs that now see a larger percentage of them funneling back to the clubs as a form of revenue sharing.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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From atop the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, Xi presided over a 70-minute parade to mark the end of World War II – flanked by a strongman waging Europe’s bloodiest conflict since 1945 and an Asian leader funneling him troops and weapons.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Use fertile, moist, slightly acidic soil that’s well-draining, and amend it with compost or other organic matter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Good Fortune marks Ansari's feature directorial debut, following the shelving of his prior attempt at a first-time directing gig.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Guillermo del Toro reimagines the classic story of Pinocchio through a modern lens, in conjunction with his signature directing style.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After launch, the satellite successfully entered orbit and began transmitting data, according to an update from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Khamryn Zyiel Johnson, 27, of Plano, is charged in a five-count indictment made public Friday with enticement of a minor to produce pornography and transmitting and receiving images of child pornography.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Whether authors are consciously channeling Jareth’s twisted charm or Sarah’s determined spirit, the influence of Labyrinth can be found in books that blend fantasy with yearning, danger, and wonder.—
Logan Karlie
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
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Conceived as both a cultural movement and an organizing platform, it is designed to coordinate action at scale, not only channeling investment, but aligning all aspects of strategy and execution needed for a nature-positive future consistent with the Biodiversity Plan.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Siphoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/siphoning. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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