DRAINING Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

draining 1 of 2

adjective

as in exhausting

Related Words

Relevance

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

This is a good time to organize the list, clarify expectations, or make a routine feel less draining. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 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20 May 2026 Already carrying wider spans of control and shrinking development support, a manager operating against an outdated role definition is doing something more draining than managing a heavy workload.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

Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Letter writer finds hosting draining when friends’ adult kid joins but doesn’t participate. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Rivaling modern sewers in size and complexity, this remarkable network of tunnels dates as far back as 500 BC, and parts are still in use today, draining runoff from the Forum in the heart of the city. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 Permafrost changes underway in 2026 The Seward and Baldwin peninsulas in northwestern Alaska are hot spots for lakes suddenly draining. — Anna Liljedahl, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 Winterize your faucets by removing and draining your garden hoses, turning off the water source to the outdoor faucet, and draining any remaining water. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 If taken to their limits, the shortage guidelines in the 10-year framework could reduce Nevada’s 300,000 acre-foot river allocation to 86,500, draining most of the major water source for Las Vegas. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2026 His opponent, Hernandez, known for his relentless pace and energy-draining style, enters the bout after an eight-fight win streak was snapped. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for draining

Adjective

But for millions of people juggling demanding jobs, caring for children, recovering from injuries, managing chronic pain or simply trying to make it through another exhausting day, regular workouts aren't always realistic.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The death of Marshall’s dad was an emotionally exhausting arc that also brought out the best in the gang.

— Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausting

Verb

Studies have proven that regularly consuming whole grains has a positive effect on health, reducing certain markers that indicate chronic inflammation.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
The cooking process greatly reduces that risk, as does storing the cooked garlic and oil at a temperature below 38° and consuming them within 2 weeks.

— Jeremy Fox, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of consuming

Verb

The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
On the last day of February, the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attacking targets across the country.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 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

The duo are accused of siphoning more than $620,000 in funds from a manufacturing company into their own pockets.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of siphoning

Verb

Willy Kurniawan | Reuters Indonesia may have trouble meeting its economic-growth goals for the coming year, after spending 2026 on the defensive amid questions about fiscal outlays and the prospects of a downgrade from MSCI.

— Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
For now, the Coalition for Prediction Markets is spending a fraction of Kalshi’s direct lobbying expenses.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

Wear it with leggings for a travel outfit that feels a little more elevated than wearing a sweatsuit.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Shoes left at the door, donning slippers to be worn except on tatami mats, wearing yukatas to the onsen and to dinner that night.

— Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026