as in rehearsal
a private performance or session in preparation for a public appearance
we had time for just one dry run of the play before opening night
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Recent Examples of dry run
In short, the conflict contained a dry run for a potential chemical attack.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
In retrospect, Kinetta feels like a dry run for Lanthimos, with all the droll affectation of his later provocations but little of the allegorical power or lunatic comedy that would distinguish them.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The man tried a dry run on rear-ending the police SUV before hitting the SUV with an officer inside, according to the county sheriff and video.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Safety officials at the stadium, meanwhile, used last summer’s Gold Cup soccer match between Mexico and Honduras as a security dry run for next summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dry run
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
In retrospect, Kinetta feels like a dry run for Lanthimos, with all the droll affectation of his later provocations but little of the allegorical power or lunatic comedy that would distinguish them.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The man tried a dry run on rear-ending the police SUV before hitting the SUV with an officer inside, according to the county sheriff and video.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Safety officials at the stadium, meanwhile, used last summer’s Gold Cup soccer match between Mexico and Honduras as a security dry run for next summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dry run
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dry run
Noun
-
There is no rehearsal, no director, with each night promising a unique, one-off event shaped entirely by the individual talent on stage.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Crystal got a little schnockered and told stories about meeting Berle at rehearsals for SNLWHC and at Spago.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vince won the case at trial, though Linda was reportedly left in tears when an exchange in court revealed another Vince affair.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Ware is being held at the Clay County Detention Center while awaiting trial, and his escape resulted in an additional charge of felony prison breach and escape, jail records show.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dry run.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dry%20run. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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