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 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 And your card perks can step in when an airline leaves you high and dry during a delay. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for high and dry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry

Adjective

Muslims who are peace-loving and helpless also need a hand up.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Afterwards, Lindsay jumped out a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt, which left her paralyzed from the waist down.

— Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
With public transport almost paralyzed, a round trip between the Havana neighborhoods of La Víbora and El Vedado in one of the few taxis still moving in Havana can cost 2000 pesos — $3 — or more.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyzed

Adjective

The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

In a 2013 Denver case on similar charges, he was found incompetent to stand trial, and the case was dismissed.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026
So the archetype of an uncharismatic leader is not necessarily someone unlikeable, introverted, socially incompetent or ineffective.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of high and dry

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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