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
Israel has also accused Hamas of siphoning aid and taxing goods for its survival.
—
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The energy on the Invite deal is so intense that its siphoning off attention on other sales titles, said one source.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Online sellers were siphoning customers and big name brands had begun to sell goods from their own stores.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
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
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
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The energy on the Invite deal is so intense that its siphoning off attention on other sales titles, said one source.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Online sellers were siphoning customers and big name brands had begun to sell goods from their own stores.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for siphoning
Verb
-
To prevent this from happening again, repot the peace lily in fresh soil that is well-draining.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Wembanyama made a 3-pointer, but Raptors star Barnes ended it by draining his only shot of the game.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His administration began funneling data from a variety of government agencies to the Department of Homeland Security, including tax information filed with the IRS.—
Phil Galewitz,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Meteorologists attributed the pattern to frigid Arctic air funneling into eastern North America and then being driven south as strong high-pressure systems helped force the jet stream into a pronounced dip, allowing colder air to spill into lower latitudes.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This year’s scene saw Reddick fist-pumping through the delirium of his first Daytona 500 win in front of 150,000 fans on the frontstretch for a while.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Feb. 2026
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At its best, Tudor’s out-of-possession approach is suffocating, a full-blooded style that excites fans and sets adrenaline pumping through the team.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Established in that pivotal year of 2018, the non-profit provides entry-level training for women in directing, screenwriting, production, and post-production, alongside financial support and mentorship.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Firebrand director Aïnouz is directing from a script written by long-time Yorgos Lanthimos collaborator Efthimis Filippou (The Lobster), which is inspired by Marco Bellocchio’s 1965 drama Fists in the Pocket.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Conveying quiet luxury requires channeling a certain palette of hues and tones to match that mood.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
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In this case, that meant channeling Looney Tunes (hence the sticks of dynamite), using Wes Anderson-style whip pans, and having Big Poe run Saint Chroma over with his car.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was said to have been carrying a twenty-five-litre backpack made by Ozark Trail, a brand sold primarily at Walmart.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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According to federal authorities, Morales Tejada in October 2023 was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree failure to appear.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Civil rights activist Medgar Evers, who had a second-floor office, began conducting meetings in the downstairs eatery.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Also on Tuesday, Indivisible CT is conducting an anti-ICE rally on the state Capitol lawn, taking political aim at a federal agency that has fallen sharply out of public favor after killing two American citizens in Minnesota and roughing up scores of others.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Use a piping bag to help achieve the draped-on topping.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Additionally, piping details along the seams indicate that manufacturers have properly finished the garment’s edges, enhancing durability.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Siphoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/siphoning. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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