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
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But the storks suffered when developers and agriculture operations began the ditching and draining that eventually compromised some 35% of South Florida's wetlands, where the majority of the birds nested.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Use a rich, well-draining, loamy soil mix rich in organic matter.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 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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By pumping far more money into the economy on an on-going basis, the contemporary Fed has gone far beyond what the congressional creators of the original system had in mind in 1913.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Kagiyama highlighted Japan’s performances Saturday, pumping both fists after his program.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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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The move aims to increase accountability for ICE and other federal agents conducting enforcement operations in California.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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The two laws at issue grew out of concern among Democrats that officers conducting the federal administration’s aggressive immigration sweeps were generally wearing masks and bore little or no identification.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Use a piping bag to help achieve the draped-on topping.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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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 15 Feb. 2026.
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