1
as in pumps
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 exhausts
to make complete use of
virtually drained the country's natural resources
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike drained us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drains
Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
That’s why a fine textured soil, like clay, drains more poorly than does a coarse, sandy soil.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
It should be noted that a tree or any other plant, for that matter, does not stand much of a chance in the long term where the soil drains inadequately.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
But the Iran war drains stockpiles of advanced air defense missiles that Ukraine needs, and Kyiv’s money is running short.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
But clouds have also gathered, as the Iran war drains stockpiles of advanced air defense missiles that Ukraine needs, and Kyiv’s money is running short.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
There’s a queerness to Mantello’s vision, including a blurring of gender associations that begins with its leads and radiates throughout, that ultimately drains the drama of its potency.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Make sure the water from dehumidifiers and air conditioners drains somewhere that easily dries up.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The success of this administrative shuffle will of course depend on whether its authority is sustainable or slowly drains away, but, at least for now, our Office of Curbed Management approves.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Below, San Angelo gives us several methods for cleaning bathroom sink drains, her best tips on how to avoid a clogged bathroom sink, and what to avoid when cleaning your bathroom sink drain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
This idea of reasonableness is easily caricatured as moral timidity or a bloodless neutrality that drains politics of passion.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
That’s why a fine textured soil, like clay, drains more poorly than does a coarse, sandy soil.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
It should be noted that a tree or any other plant, for that matter, does not stand much of a chance in the long term where the soil drains inadequately.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
But the Iran war drains stockpiles of advanced air defense missiles that Ukraine needs, and Kyiv’s money is running short.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
But clouds have also gathered, as the Iran war drains stockpiles of advanced air defense missiles that Ukraine needs, and Kyiv’s money is running short.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
There’s a queerness to Mantello’s vision, including a blurring of gender associations that begins with its leads and radiates throughout, that ultimately drains the drama of its potency.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Make sure the water from dehumidifiers and air conditioners drains somewhere that easily dries up.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The success of this administrative shuffle will of course depend on whether its authority is sustainable or slowly drains away, but, at least for now, our Office of Curbed Management approves.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Descaling and Unclogging Uses Use cleaning vinegar to unclog stubborn drains by adding 1 cup of baking soda to your drain followed by 1 cup of cleaning vinegar, says Dills.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Below, San Angelo gives us several methods for cleaning bathroom sink drains, her best tips on how to avoid a clogged bathroom sink, and what to avoid when cleaning your bathroom sink drain.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drains
Verb
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Though initially dismissed and even ridiculed, Mitchell went on to win the 1978 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his idea that a current of protons constantly flows into the cell as the cell vigorously pumps them back out, and that this is the driving force behind key cellular processes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
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The Duchess of Sussex wore the Wolford hosiery with a khaki A-line dress by Australian brand Friends with Frank and black Manolo Blahnik pumps.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the search for a large outdoor planter exhausts you—just get a terra-cotta planter.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
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As the oil blockade quickly exhausts Cuba’s supply of fuel, triggering a series of lengthy, island-wide blackouts, many here are exhausted and are becoming increasingly vocal about their desire for fundamental changes in Cuba.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Edmondson wears top hats, but his real passion is for period technology.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Writer Julia Harrison wears hers every day, a testament to both their quality and aesthetic versatility.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Noun
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About 20% of the world's oil flows throw the strait, and Iran's ability to block the flow of tankers has roiled the global economy, sending oil prices soaring.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, as part of that, the gallbladder empties less frequently and more slowly.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Roborock Robot Vacuum and Mop Deal The Roborock Qrevo is for the elite couch-rot enthusiasts, featuring 8,000Pa HyperForce suction and an all-in-one dock that empties the dust, refills the water, and even washes and dries the mopping pads.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The reason this is important, says Lab Group Manager for R&D Alok Warey, is because aerodynamic drag consumes a lot of battery energy in EVs—up to 50 percent.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
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Put simply, food noise consumes your life.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Samorajczyk said that high temperatures are what kills weeds with Foamstream or AquaPro and also noted that the DOT is speaking with vendors and scientists who are developing this technology to have a wand on the front bumper to kill weeds on guiderails.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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His film Ring, directed by Hideo Nakata, centered on a cursed videotape that kills viewers seven days after watching it.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Keep moisture away from your home’s foundation by making sure gutters are clean and empty and using splash blocks at the end of downspouts.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
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Preservationists, the town and the property owner appear to have been at a stalemate since 2018, and walls are now covered in invasive vines, windows are broken out, gutters are dangling and paint has peeled off windowsills.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drains. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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