draining
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for draining, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Tiring; steadily using up energy or strength.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
depleting
Antonyms
How to use draining
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
emotionally draining
draining process
Frequently asked questions
What does “draining” mean?
The word “draining” means tiring; steadily using up energy or strength. In plain terms, exhausting, or the process of letting liquid flow away.
How do you pronounce “draining”?
“Draining” is pronounced DRAY-nihng (/ˈdɹeɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “draining” in a sentence?
Here is “draining” used in a sentence: “It was an emotionally draining conversation.”
What part of speech is “draining”?
Depending on how it is used, “draining” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “draining” a common word?
“Draining” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “draining” have?
“Draining” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tiring; steadily using up energy or strength.
What is the difference between "draining" as an adjective and as a noun?
As an adjective, "draining" describes something tiring that steadily uses up energy or strength, such as a "draining day at work." As a noun, "draining" refers to the literal act or process of removing liquid from something, such as draining a pool.
Can "draining" describe emotional exhaustion as well as physical tiredness?
Yes, "draining" is commonly used for both physical and emotional exhaustion, describing anything that steadily uses up a person's energy or strength, whether that is a long shift, a difficult conversation, or ongoing stress.
