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

The blast rings out as the helpless attorney watches in horror.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Schiavio is slipped in on the right and his first-time shot goes in off the crossbar with Planicka a mere, helpless spectator.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Last fall, major lenders reported that business was booming despite a sluggish art market, arguing that collectors preferred borrowing against valuable works rather than selling into weaker conditions.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
Goods consumption is weak, while services consumption is outperforming, running above headline GDP growth, Liao said.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Women's hesitation stems from less encouragement, fear of appearing incompetent, and distrust in AI, which can exhibit biases against women.

— Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The mental health courts deal with various legal matters, but one function is to handle the cases of defendants who committed misdemeanors or felonies, have a serious mental illness and have been judged incompetent to stand trial in criminal court.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of high and dry

adjective

Example Sentences

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