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Definition of drainnext

drain

2 of 2

noun

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

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
As for the backfill in your planting hole, Nuccio recommends a soil mix of 1/2 peat moss, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 fast-draining soil for camellias, while planting azaleas in a mix that is 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026 Given the lack of gravity, even a runny nose can turn into an extremely unpleasant experience, forcing astronauts to resort to unusual measures just to drain mucus from their nasal passages. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Find the drain valve and connect the garden hose to the drain valve. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025 When to Stop Using Your Garden Hose Disconnect, drain, and store your hose before a hard freeze to guarantee all the water is out and the spigot is protected. Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain
Verb
  • 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
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.
    Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Four people were killed over a four-day period in crashes on Arkansas highways, according to preliminary Arkansas State Police reports.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Eventually, the animals were clustered into a sluice-like enclosure, and then the animals would be extracted one by one.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025
  • Charlie got into the shower, letting the hot water sluice off the rest of the blood on her back and whatever had dried in her hair.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Now, Tapachula is experiencing a reverse migration, as the United States sends planeload after planeload of deportees to the southern part of Mexico while the flow of migrants headed north has dried up.
    Daniel Gonzalez, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • While high-risk inmates have been isolated in individual cells, the flow of information never truly stops, said Christino.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Most of them run on some of the dirtiest fuel in the world, the leftover gunk after all the other useful parts are siphoned off to make gasoline and other more valuable petroleum products.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • His first time on air, and another chance to change how viewers consume the country’s most popular sport, was only minutes away.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
  • When possible, consume vitamin A through nutritious foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, and eggs instead of dietary supplements to optimize your health.
    Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Meyer, meanwhile, wore a white graphic tee with black mini shorts and a Thom Browne top coat, W reported.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toe boots, police said.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drain. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on drain

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