DRYING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

drying

verb

present participle of dry

as in scorching

to make dry the wind quickly dried their clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fading

to lose liveliness, force, or freshness his creative talents were just drying on the vine in that small, provincial town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 drying Some with alcohol or actives can feel drying, and Buechner suggested pairing them with a leave-in conditioner. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 Its lightweight, fast-drying formula is infused with a nourishing lineup—squalane and macadamia and jojoba oils, to name a few—that leaves skin hydrated and streak-free from start to finish. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 Alcohol also acts as a drying agent, which can cause or worsen xerostomia, better known as dry mouth. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The ribbed knit is absorbent and quick-drying with a combed cotton material that’s ultra-soft to the touch. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026 Cutting boards and drying racks vary by brand, so check what comes in the box and what fits later. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026 Product marketing plays up the same idea, pitching double-bowl designs such as the 33-inch Ruvati workstation for multitaskers who want one spot for washing veggies and drying dishes. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Removing the thermal drying stage could also make electrode manufacturing less capital- and energy-intensive. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 Moving clothes promptly to the drying rack gives them a better chance of drying fresh. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drying

Verb

That was the update last week at a meeting of the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG), a confab of scientists whose research interests focus on the scorching world just sunward from Earth.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Check between presses to avoid overheating or scorching the fabric.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorching

Verb

The Saints are fading after a strong start, and Tyler Shough is struggling and dealing with a left hand injury.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In the rapidly fading light, a splendid buck muley took half a step forward and looked straight toward me.

— Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fading

Verb

Many of them, like Tubbs, were refugee Midwesterners, sick of parching droughts and devouring plagues of locusts, the insects descending in buzzing clouds thick enough to blacken the noonday sun.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Alegria also sees wild rice production growing using the traditional Indigenous methods of drying, parching, dancing and winnowing at rice camps in northern Wisconsin.

— Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025

Definition of parching

Verb

His astute stand-up and withering, spot-on insights into race, relationships and celebrity have influenced countless comedians and writers.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
His long, tousled hair, stubble, withering gaze, and ever-present cigarette gave him an air of punk-rock danger.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of withering

Verb

Antihistamines have a general dehydrating effect that also reduces tear production.

— Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2026
In addition to air-frying, the Joule also has toasting, baking, broiling, roasting, proofing, reheating, slow cooking, warming and dehydrating functions, as well as settings for bagels, pizza and cookies.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dehydrating

Verb

Against a backdrop of wilting flowers that left a subtle funk in the air, designer Glenn Martens once again put forth ideas that challenged conventions of beautiful clothing.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
In the fall different flowers, the last of the season, will be finally wilting.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of wilting

Verb

In the Rocky Mountains, years of extreme heat and drought have baked the landscape, drying up streams that feed the Colorado River and desiccating pastures where cattle graze.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Suddenly, pest populations are large enough to make a meaningful impact, and one too many afternoons of 100+ degree weather have begun desiccating leaves.

— Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of desiccating

Browse Nearby Words

dry-cleans

drying

drying up

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“Drying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drying. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drying

verb

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