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drainer

drainer

1 6.8
A person or thing that slowly uses up someone's energy
  • noun
  • /ˈdreɪnər/
translation icon : agotaenergía
  • I want you to start practicing right now because these are the two big energy drainers, OK?

They know who's with the team, they know the energy drainers, they know the you know, I'm talking on in any team now.

Examples

  • Negative comments at work often act as an energy drainer, sapping the enthusiasm of even the most motivated employees.

  • There are two rules that I want you to start practicing right now because these are the two big energy drainers, OK?

  • They know who's with the team, they know the energy drainers, they know the you know, I'm talking on in any team now.

  • Her dramatic stories can be a bit of an energy drainer, causing everyone to feel exhausted by the end of the night.

  • Constant arguments can turn a friendly gathering into an energy drainer, leaving everyone feeling tired and unhappy.

Synonyms

energy vampire
vsdrainer
  • Offensive
8.1

A person who makes others feel emotionally tired by being negative or demanding

works slowly to reduce overall energy enthusiasm or resources over time
exhauster
vsdrainer
7.9

A person or thing that makes someone very tired

reduces energy gradually without necessarily causing immediate total exhaustion
deadener
vsdrainer
7.7

A person or thing that makes a situation less exciting

lowers energy and resources over time rather than damping feelings mainly

Antonyms

3 4.6

A person who makes other people feel more energetic and motivated

Surface Forms

drainer singular
drainers plural

Morphology

drainer = drain (semi-transparent) = drain + er

Morphological formation is regular, but the sense relies on a metaphorical extension ('to drain energy') that may not be fully obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Drainer comes from drain, meaning 'to take away', with the ending -er meaning 'one that does'. Think of water going down a drain: someone or something that slowly takes your energy or joy works the same way, so we call it a drainer.