as in rehearsals
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 runs
Israel has intermittently launched such long-range airstrikes since July 2024, after a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, in combat missions that, especially in retrospect, served as dry runs for the June air war against Iran.
—
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dry runs
rehearsals
Noun
-
Robert had a special guest during last week’s rehearsals for the dance competition series.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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The actor Noah Segan recalled Johnson moving furniture around in his living room to host rehearsals, and making burgers for the cast.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dry runs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dry%20runs. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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