DRAIN Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

drain 1 of 2

verb

ˈdrān

Definition of drain next

as in to pump

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely we drained the water from the tank before cleaning it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spend

to make complete use of virtually drained the country's natural resources

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in sluice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in flow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Toxic dynamics: Whether at work or in relationships, negativity drains your energy and well-being. —

Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 The president accused them of draining Egypt’s precious water. —

Vivian Yee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

Intel Intel explored a critical scaling factor, gate length, which is the distance covered by the gate between the transistor’s source and drain. —

IEEE Spectrum, 12 Dec. 2024 These includes touchscreen responsiveness and Wi-Fi issues and reports of battery drain and app crashes. —

Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for drain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drain

Verb

Before long a crew arrived at my home and a cement truck (holding up traffic on Saint Paul Street) was pumping tons of concrete through a little window that had served as a coal chute.

Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2025
The Bruins solved that issue against the Leafs by pumping four past Joseph Woll.

Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025