drying

verb

present participle of dry
1
as in scorching
to make dry the wind quickly dried their clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Determined to create a formula that wasn’t cakey, heavy, or drying, Brown infused her formula with hydrating ingredients. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026 The Audi pair almost had a similar problem when Gabriel Bortoleto spun on a greasy but drying track that also caught out and wrecked Verstappen on the opening lap. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 While the lack of ventilation can provide just the opposite effect, keeping the shower curtain closed promotes a more even drying process for the liner. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 After drying, fluff the pillow by breaking up remaining clumps by hand. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026 This drying and storing procedure will prevent the seeds from developing mold. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026 The Slovenian is not the only relic that has emerged from Europe's drying rivers. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Natural gas is deeply embedded upstream in textile manufacturing, supplying captive electricity generation as well as the boilers and steam required for processes including dyeing, washing, drying and finishing. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026 To adapt, many producers are now drying their grapes and turning them into raisins — a cheaper product that sells for less. — Abdul Qahar Afghan, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drying
  1. scorching
  2. fading
  3. parching
  4. withering
  5. dehydrating
  6. wilting
  7. draining
  8. desiccating
Verb
  • Apparent human skeletal remains, including a jaw with the teeth still attached, were found at Lake Mead on Sunday, officials said, as water levels sink to new lows amid a drought and scorching heat in the West.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Stir and scrape the pan bottom frequently to prevent scorching.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorching
Verb
  • As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s talk of finding a quick end to the war also appears to be fading.
    — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • European banks have shaken off a weak first quarter to notch solid share price gains in the year to date, but Citi analysts warn their momentum may be fading.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 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
  • Everything was growing all at once, all over the place, blooming, withering, and crashing to the earth.
    — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Featuring tons of interviews from whistleblowers and ex-employees, this is a withering critique of capitalism that needs to be seen.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of withering
Verb
  • Guidance from Michigan State University recommends pretreating fruit by soaking it in a mixture of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and cold water, and steam blanching vegetables before dehydrating them.
    — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Diatomaceous earth is a natural, chemical-free way to control crawling pests by dehydrating them.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of dehydrating
Verb
  • In the fall different flowers, the last of the season, will be finally wilting.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Sinner, who needed the title to complete a career Grand Slam of his own, lost to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo from the verge of victory, wilting in the heat of Paris and with no little help from an illness.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of wilting
Verb
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • 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
  • Improving safety in the field Key innovations for the new tissue include the ability to hold water at room temperature for months on end without desiccating or needing refridgeration.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Definition of desiccating

Browse Nearby Words

dry-cleans
drying
drying up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drying. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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