variants
also syphoning
1
as in draining
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
Relevance
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
The school’s founders are accused of siphoning tens of millions of dollars into a private company between 2017 and 2021.
—
Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Israel has said throughout the war that Hamas was siphoning off aid supplies, an accusation that the United Nations and aid groups have denied.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And both were in more comfortable distances on third downs, siphoning off sacks to four for a Broncos team that had been averaging nearly five per game.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors accused lobbyist Greg Campbell, former Deputy State Attorney General Sean McCluskie and former Gavin Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson of siphoning campaign funds from former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, McCluskie’s boss, to pad McCluskie’s salary.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025
The two have overlapping bases of support and are seemingly siphoning off support from each other, but if one dropped out, the other would have a genuine chance to advance from the top-two primary.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
The problem with this shift is pretty clear – Cooper is effectively siphoning off cash from a really good contact lens business and then reinvesting it in what most people would judge to be a less attractive business.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
Western nations could also encourage Russia's top experts to leave the country, siphoning away the country's expertise, the report says.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Kolomoisky has been accused of siphoning off billions from PrivatBank, a Ukrainian bank.
—Olena Loginova, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
Israel has said throughout the war that Hamas was siphoning off aid supplies, an accusation that the United Nations and aid groups have denied.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
And both were in more comfortable distances on third downs, siphoning off sacks to four for a Broncos team that had been averaging nearly five per game.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors accused lobbyist Greg Campbell, former Deputy State Attorney General Sean McCluskie and former Gavin Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson of siphoning campaign funds from former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, McCluskie’s boss, to pad McCluskie’s salary.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025
The two have overlapping bases of support and are seemingly siphoning off support from each other, but if one dropped out, the other would have a genuine chance to advance from the top-two primary.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
The problem with this shift is pretty clear – Cooper is effectively siphoning off cash from a really good contact lens business and then reinvesting it in what most people would judge to be a less attractive business.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
Western nations could also encourage Russia's top experts to leave the country, siphoning away the country's expertise, the report says.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Kolomoisky has been accused of siphoning off billions from PrivatBank, a Ukrainian bank.
—Olena Loginova, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for siphoning
Verb
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Indoor poinsettias should be repotted out of poorly draining pots as soon as possible, while outdoor plants should only be transplanted outside when temperatures are above 50°F.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Add a base layer of well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, about a few inches deep.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At first glance, the Rural Health Transformation Program appears to be just a conduit for funneling funds to strapped rural hospitals and clinics facing slashed Medicaid spending.—
Isabella Cueto,
STAT,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Keeler was accused of funneling casino cash to a Republican political group.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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To this day, as much fun as Johnson has with his offensive artistry, little gets his blood pumping like bringing a mauling running game to life.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Countries like China let their industries pollute freely, dumping chemicals into rivers, pumping toxins into the air and throwing plastics into the ocean.—
Chip Lamarca,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Christo and Jeanne-Claude disregarded all threats of legal action, directing Running Fence to complete its predestined voyage into the sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Ramsay told Vulture that her directing style on the movie was born of wanting the actors to feel free on the set.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There were some major wins on the red carpet, with Mia Goth stepping out in Dior and Ariana Grande channelling her inner-Glinda in a beaded Alberta Ferretti number.—
Rachel Choy,
Refinery29,
5 Jan. 2026
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Sure enough, Rico Dowdle slipped (again), botched the pitchback (which Bryce Young tried to pick up rather than immediately dive on, unfortunately channeling Cam Newton in the Super Bowl) and the Bucs recovered.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Putin is yet to comment on the developments related to the tanker, which the US had previously sanctioned for carrying illicit Iranian oil.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Russia attacks Ukraine with new Oreshnik ballistic missile Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with a new hypersonic ballistic missile, an advanced weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Currently, there are no specifics available regarding the size of area burned or the crew conducting the prescribed fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is conducting the in-custody death investigation.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This Amazon lookalike comes with pants and a button-down shirt with piping along the hems to offer comfort, warmth, and style all in one.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
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Here are five stellar spots around the Bay Area for picking up a piping mug of cocoa that’s not just satisfying but also memorable.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Siphoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/siphoning. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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