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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Recent Examples of high and dry
Max Monks was left high and dry when 16 Lots Brewing Co. shuttered its locations in Mason and Newport late last year.
—
Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Astronomers say the location is both high and dry enough to provide clear skies for observing the universe.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 June 2025
All these groups and more will be left high and dry, rolling the dice with every major decision.
—Kristin Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
Users across social media — including, notably, kpop stans, who command a large and organized following online — implored their followers to get involved, reserving tickets to the rally with the intent of leaving the stadium open and the president high and dry.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Astronomers say the location is both high and dry enough to provide clear skies for observing the universe.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 June 2025
All these groups and more will be left high and dry, rolling the dice with every major decision.
—Kristin Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
Users across social media — including, notably, kpop stans, who command a large and organized following online — implored their followers to get involved, reserving tickets to the rally with the intent of leaving the stadium open and the president high and dry.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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This is obvious enough in the contrast between the aggressive takedown in humor and the helpless surrender in tears.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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The series also starred Portia de Rossi as the family's layabout daughter, Lindsay; David Cross as her aspiring actor husband, Tobias; Alia Shawkat as their teen daughter, Maeby; Jessica Walter as the family's elitist matriarch, Lucille; and Tony Hale as the dynasty's helpless youngest son, Buster.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One of the saddest parts of Remember The Titans is when Bertier got into a car accident that left him paralyzed before their last game.—
Jessica Booth,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Inside, the wasp provisions its offspring with paralyzed spiders or insects.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nobody can say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a weak team.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Akin to two boxers with weak chins slugging it out, Villa wanted to land another blow.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Although Beijing has outcompeted Washington in Myanmar up to this point, the junta’s woefully incompetent management of its currency and foreign reserves presents an opportunity for the United States to recalibrate its approach to the country.—
Dan Swift,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
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California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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