HIGH AND DRY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

high and dry

adjective

Definition of high and dry

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose the inadequate supplies of vaccine left many people high and dry when the flu season arrived

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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 high and dry The drought that has plagued much of the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed during the first half of this year is causing strains to drinking water supplies, hurting crop output and leaving many rafters and boaters high and dry. — Jeremy Cox, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026 If everything goes to plan — and with no relief from the weather — Flaming Gorge will fall by as much as 27 feet (8 meters) a year from now, leaving Buckboard Marina even more high and dry. — ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Mel is likely mad at the lawyers running her depositions, and her sister for leaving her high and dry on the Fourth of July. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026 When her professor, predictably, leaves her high and dry, Margo drops out of college and makes an OnlyFans account as a last ditch effort to get some quick cash. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for high and dry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry

Adjective

That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to the charred remains of your home after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

After 60 days, the researchers reported that treated pigs could stand and walk on all four limbs, while controls remained paralyzed.

— Mike McRae October 21, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
In 1995, however, Reeve, a competitive equestrian, had a devastating accident, breaking his spine while riding, and becoming paralyzed for the rest of his life.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of paralyzed

Adjective

The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.

— Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

In August 2022, Garza was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial and ordered to be jailed until a bed in a state mental health treatment facility was available.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
In my opinion, the president and his incompetent, corrupt acolytes have debased the office and dragged the good name of America through the mud.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of incompetent

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high

high and dry

high and low

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“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of high and dry

adjective

Example Sentences

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