siphon

verb

variants also syphon
Definition of siphonnext
1
as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely I let the stranded motorist siphon some of my gas so he could be on his way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to funnel
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway investigators discovered that the so-called charitable organization was siphoning funds for personal use

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 siphon The rise of other Jeffco programs also siphoned off talent that might have previously open enrolled at Columbine. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026 Sunday is also not gonna siphon that many votes from Cardellini, a TV vet. — Joyce Eng, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026 That unsustainable spike has siphoned away money to fund, for example, street repairs, public transit and health care services for the needy. — Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 The candidate is linked to — but not accused of any wrongdoing in — a corruption case involving two former advisors and a lobbyist who siphoned $225,000 money from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for siphon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for siphon
  1. drain
  2. funnel
  3. pump
  4. direct
  5. pipe
  6. channel
  7. carry
Verb
  • In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.
    — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • While Rodriguez and others accuse Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest utility, of funneling money to help the spoiler candidate, the organization has denied any involvement.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nearby are a Costco and the Broadstone Marketplace, funneling regional shoppers directly onto East Bidwell Street.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of funnel
Verb
  • Slowing down pumping velocities prevents dangerous suction vortices from forming near the ceiling intake.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But smart TVs also had a logical, consumer-friendly purpose before the industry started pumping them with ads.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pump
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in the team’s experiments, nearly 80 percent of the heat generated by the plasma was directed into cement production.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Katy Rudd is set to direct with set and costume designs by Tony-winning Rob Howell (Matilda the Musical) and choreography from Ellen Kane.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of direct
Verb
  • The cost of powering homes is also up, with electricity and piped gas both costing around 4% more annually.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The collection also features a special Poké Ball Doughnut, glazed and dipped in vanilla icing, topped with red sprinkles and piped with chocolate icing.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pipe
Verb
  • The film looks at Bareilles’ experience of channeling her own pain to create art and the healing journey that accompanied it.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Citizen, published two months after Brown’s killing, seemed to channel that righteous fury.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of channel
Verb
  • Highlight one strong detail, ask what outcome matters most, and let your craft carry the room.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Moon Jong-won rounds out the cast as Um Sang-pil, who runs a bed-and-breakfast and carries a past shrouded in mystery.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of carry

Browse Nearby Words

sip
siphon
siphoned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Siphon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/siphon. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on siphon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about siphon

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