drain 1 of 2

verb

ˈdrān How to pronounce drain (audio)
Definition of drainnext
1
as in to pump
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spend
to make complete use of virtually drained the country's natural resources

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of the long hike drained us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

drain

2 of 2

noun

1
as in sluice

Related Words
2
as in flow

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of drain are bankrupt, deplete, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When might bankrupt be a better fit than drain?

The synonyms bankrupt and drain are sometimes interchangeable, but bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When can deplete be used instead of drain?

Although the words deplete and drain have much in common, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

When is exhaust a more appropriate choice than drain?

In some situations, the words exhaust and drain are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

When would impoverish be a good substitute for drain?

The words impoverish and drain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

How is the word drain distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of drain are bankrupt, deplete, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When might bankrupt be a better fit than drain?

The synonyms bankrupt and drain are sometimes interchangeable, but bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When can deplete be used instead of drain?

Although the words deplete and drain have much in common, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

When is exhaust a more appropriate choice than drain?

In some situations, the words exhaust and drain are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

When would impoverish be a good substitute for drain?

The words impoverish and drain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drain
Verb
Both thrive in well-draining, acidic soil and full sun. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026 The thoughtful cushion design even includes mesh bottom panels where water can drain from the seat and back cushions after rain showers. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The baking soda and vinegar work together to dislodge and loosen gunk blocking the drain. —Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 1 Apr. 2026 Like any other self-flushing litter box, this one needs to be connected to both a water source and a drain. —Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
  1. pump
  2. spend
  3. kill
  4. sluice
  5. flow
  6. siphon
  7. consume
  8. wear
Verb
  • Two days after that, the agency greenlit Kaskida, a new five-billion-dollar ultra-deep drilling project southwest of New Orleans, which could start pumping eighty thousand barrels of oil a day as early as 2029.
    — Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of pump
Verb
  • At thirty-three, Chalker was older than most of his classmates, with more experience professionally and abroad, and he was tapped to spend a day with James Pavitt, then the agency’s director of operations.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • After Brooklyn spent two quarters playing mostly clean, the third quarter got loose.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of spend
Verb
  • Authorities allege her husband, 40-year-old Stephen Bowen, killed her with a shotgun.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • They get captured by Hungarian gangsters and have to fight (and kill) their way out of an inn run by a shady former dance prodigy (Uma Thurman).
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of kill
Noun
  • Upgrades to storm water pumping stations Cost: $3 million The details: Equipment repair and replacement at six stormwater pumping stations, including new sluice gates, gate valves and actuators.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Dump the remaining gravel through a sluice box to remove lighter sand and small rocks, which filter into a gold pan.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of sluice
Noun
  • Machinery moved earth, buzz saws signaled new construction and a steady flow of trucks brought new equipment to Expo Idaho.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The Illini had trouble getting in an extended flow and at times looked deflated.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • Many of Lamont’s fellow Democrats in the legislature’s majority argue Connecticut’s budget caps are too strict, siphoning too much money from core programs.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The diseases had gotten their names when they were both diagnosed through excessive urination — diabetes means siphon in Ancient Greek.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of siphon
Verb
  • Its companion Renpho Health app (available for Android and iOS) tracks 50 health metrics, but some (like calories consumed and burned) rely on your input or external sources.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Fierce in expression but controlled in form, the 1959 LP draws out a rootsy warmth from beneath the bebop that had consumed bandstands since World War II, forging a sound that feels at once confrontational, mischievous, and generous.
    — Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of consume
Verb
  • Cops are searching for multiple suspects wearing ski masks last seen fleeing the scene on foot.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a denim shirt and jeans.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of wear

Phrases Containing drain

Browse Nearby Words

drags (out)
drain
drain (away)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drain

Nglish: Translation of drain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drain

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