DRAINING Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

draining 1 of 2

adjective

as in exhausting

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

draining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of drain

as in pumping

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in consuming

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in killing

to use up all the physical energy of the long hike drained us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 draining

Adjective

Speaking of the part of van life spent behind the wheel, Volkswagen has slightly reworked the Grand California's driver-assistance suite to make driving a little less draining. — New Atlas, 10 July 2026 Others are voluntarily asking to see more patients because the most draining and time-consuming parts of their job are now handled by AI. — Fj Campbell, Fortune, 20 May 2026 Already carrying wider spans of control and shrinking development support, a manager operating against an outdated role definition is doing something more draining than managing a heavy workload. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026 Asch recommends finding a driver-friendly activity to make time on the road feel less draining, such as listening to an audiobook or podcast. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events. — Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025 By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

Plant it in loose, fast-draining soil mixed with perlite, pumice, or orchid bark, or a combination of all, to keep the roots from rotting. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Also, standard air conditioners depend on noisy, energy-draining mechanical compressors. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 His dedication to the civil service had suffocated him over time, draining his hope and also impoverishing his lifestyle by a thousand cuts. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 While agreement remains elusive, the world’s oil markets must confront draining crude reserves. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026 The nozzle assembly swung into the opening on the robot, and water began flowing through the basket and draining back out through the drain hose. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 For maximum flowering, select a growing location with rich, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026 The moment was so emotionally draining and jarring that coach Kevin Stefanski immediately called a halt to the day's practice. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for draining

Adjective

His brand of networking involves an exhausting degree of personal attention.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Their children are exhausting and the housework never ends and their husbands are babies.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausting

Verb

Hydroelectric equipment initially powered construction machinery, while surplus electricity supported pumping and served Phoenix customers.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
At Stevens' party, the lights were softer, the crowd more spread throughout the hotel, and The Supremes were pumping through the speakers.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of pumping

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Those symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria, the CDC says.

— Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of consuming

Verb

Prosecutors say after killing her children, Clancy cut her wrists and neck and jumped from a second-story window, leaving her partially paralyzed.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group attacked a village in Congo near the border with Uganda early Saturday, killing at least 13 people and burning and looting homes, a local civil society group said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of killing

Adjective

But the most mentally fatiguing aspect, the work found, was having to constantly supervise the AI tools, with some employees overseeing multiple AI agents performing different tasks at the same time.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
My friend was in course of opening up his country house unassisted, and after a fatiguing day discovered that the only practical bed was a child’s affair— long enough but scarcely wider than a crib.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026

Definition of fatiguing

Verb

Some industry observers, though, have sounded an alarm that increasingly high prices for superstar tours which are guaranteed instant sellouts may be siphoning off consumer dollars from mid-level acts, whose ticket prices are also going up.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 25 July 2026
And with a handful of film distributors siphoning a greater portion of box office revenue, the states argue that theaters will likely be forced to raise ticket prices and slash investments for larger screens, luxury seating and concessions.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026

Definition of siphoning

Verb

Some more images show Kidman, Bullock, 62, King, 26, and Williams, 29, wearing flowing gowns while hooked onto wires, seemingly filming a scene that involves flying, in front of a blue screen.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of wearing

Cite this Entry

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“Draining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/draining. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of draining

adjective

verb

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