variants
also syphon
1
as in to pump
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 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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of siphon
OPMs typically take 50–60% of tuition revenue in exchange for upfront marketing and tech investments—a deal that siphons resources away from educational quality.
—
Scott White, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Desperation grows as rival aid systems can’t meet needs
Israel says the new system operated by a private contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is designed to prevent the militant group Hamas from siphoning off aid to fund its activities.
—Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
The latter isn’t much of a contender, especially since the streamer pulled the plug on hopes for a second season, but support for that show and Lee’s performance could still siphon off enough votes to hurt his Squid Game chances.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 14 June 2025
In Wisconsin, a decades-old voucher system has deepened racial and economic segregation and siphoned hundreds of millions from public education, all while failing to deliver tangible results for kids and families.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for siphon
Scott White, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Desperation grows as rival aid systems can’t meet needs
Israel says the new system operated by a private contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is designed to prevent the militant group Hamas from siphoning off aid to fund its activities.
—Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
The latter isn’t much of a contender, especially since the streamer pulled the plug on hopes for a second season, but support for that show and Lee’s performance could still siphon off enough votes to hurt his Squid Game chances.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 14 June 2025
In Wisconsin, a decades-old voucher system has deepened racial and economic segregation and siphoned hundreds of millions from public education, all while failing to deliver tangible results for kids and families.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for siphon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for siphon
Verb
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Foreigners have responded by pumping money into America and now own 18% of the U.S. stock market, according to Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk.—
Greg McKenna,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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The latest addition the InMotion's range will certainly get the adrenaline pumping with a top speed of 43.5 mph (70 km/h).—
Paul Ridden
June 24,
New Atlas,
24 June 2025
Verb
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But the Republican candidate in 2023 was charged with 43 counts of wire fraud and misusing campaign funds, funneling tens of thousands of dollars for his personal use through his mother and a close friend.—
Salvador Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
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And luckily, the Gallardo’s mediocre single-clutch paddle-shift gearbox wasn’t in the mix; a traditional torque converter automatic with six forward speeds was the only way to funnel power to the four wheels.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The Army Corps’ solution was to take a meandering 103-mile river that snaked through one of the wildest areas in the state, drain it, and carve it into a ruler-straight, 56-mile 30-foot-deep canal dubbed the C-38 — not exactly fodder for the tourism board.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2025
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In such situations, when a client has the resources and the inclination to go round after round, small municipalities have to decide whether to settle or stand on principle, draining their budget.—
Andrew Rice,
Curbed,
26 June 2025
Verb
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More details about what Blanchett’s cameo portends for the future of the Squid Game franchise — like, who might direct a new U.S. season, who else would star and/or how involved series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk will be — can be expected from Netflix in the weeks and months ahead.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
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Recognizing this short deadline, the space agency has directed European scientists and engineers to begin preliminary work on the mission.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 June 2025
Verb
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At the start of Act Two - around 9 p.m. on performance evenings - composer Andrew Lloyd Weber's music is piped outside the theater into London's narrow Argyll Street.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
26 June 2025
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Besides piping plovers, there are two others on the federal list.—
Jan Ellen Spiegel,
Hartford Courant,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The thalamus acts as a control center and transmits sensory signals to various areas of the cerebral cortex.—
Christian Wolf,
Scientific American,
25 June 2025
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that campylobacter is a type of bacteria that causes diarrheal illness and is usually transmitted through undercooked meat, contaminated food or water, or contact with animals.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Siphon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/siphon. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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