Synonyms for

Drain

Verb / dreɪn / Another word for drain — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

To remove liquid from something or somewhere

Synonyms & similar words

wastepipe drainage drainpipe runout enfeeble debilitate empty deplete remove withdraw exhaust sap vacate evacuate clear siphon decant leak flow stream seep percolate filter

Synonyms by register

Formal

evacuate discharge empty expel

Informal

empty out run dry use up tap out

Literary

wane ebb recede

Antonyms

fill supply replenish augment charge inflow pour in

Common collocations

  • drain the swamp
  • drain the battery
  • drain the life out of
  • drain the system
  • drain the tub
  • drain the energy
  • drain the well

Word family

noun drainage
verb drain
adjective draining

Usage note

As a verb, 'drain' often implies a gradual loss. Be careful not to confuse it with 'drought', which refers to a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall.

Example sentences

  1. I need to drain the water from the sink before I can wash the dishes.
  2. He had to drain the oil from the car's engine.
  3. The bathtub drain was clogged and wouldn't let the water out.
  4. The rainwater was draining away quickly because of the steep slope.
  5. The team's energy was draining as they fell behind in the game.

Quotes

  • A good example is like a drain to a sink. It makes the murky clear. - Don Roff
  • Happiness is a warm puppy. - Charles M. Schulz
  • We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don't it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions. - Jessamyn West

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