1
as in scorching
to make dry
the wind quickly dried their clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The interior cabinet even includes a heat vent for further drying and warming gear.
—
New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
Select the heated dry cycle or leave the dishwasher door slightly ajar to promote drying after the cycle completes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Black River, Jamaica — The air smells of damp earth and drying mud.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Some evergreens, like arborvitae, yew, hemlock, and boxwood, are also more susceptible to drying winds and sunscald, which turns their needles brown and dry during the winter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Quince Flowknit Mid-Rise Jogger The Quince pants are crafted from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, which is quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and stretchy for ultimate comfort while traveling.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The terry side handles post-shower drying effortlessly, while the waffle side works perfectly for wrapping hair or quick rinses.
—Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
While carrier oils can be nourishing, tea tree oil itself is drying.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Maybe that even means drying or preserving foods in different ways.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
Select the heated dry cycle or leave the dishwasher door slightly ajar to promote drying after the cycle completes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Black River, Jamaica — The air smells of damp earth and drying mud.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Some evergreens, like arborvitae, yew, hemlock, and boxwood, are also more susceptible to drying winds and sunscald, which turns their needles brown and dry during the winter.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025
Quince Flowknit Mid-Rise Jogger The Quince pants are crafted from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, which is quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and stretchy for ultimate comfort while traveling.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The terry side handles post-shower drying effortlessly, while the waffle side works perfectly for wrapping hair or quick rinses.
—Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
While carrier oils can be nourishing, tea tree oil itself is drying.
—Heidi Cope, Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Maybe that even means drying or preserving foods in different ways.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drying
Verb
-
Without the trees, Smith said, the street is a beacon for scorching heat.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In the second quarter, the Blazers shot a scorching 9 of 11 from 3-point range.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even the combative Venezuela of eight years ago, where kids with homemade shields assembled in the streets day after day to battle the dictatorship’s goons, is a fading memory.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Cheney is remembered as a chief architect of the war in Iraq after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and a member of an old Republican Party guard that is quickly fading away.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Her queerness, though, got rejected by her parents (Merritt Wever channeling a withering scorn and a pious look that is cold and unnerving).—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But after withering on the Houston bench for two years in an overcrowded forward rotation, he’s primed for a leap in Year 3.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Drought and long, hot summer days are sucking Western Colorado’s rivers dry, parching farm fields and fueling the massive wildfires proliferating across the region.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Another telltale sign is finding green or black streaks along the inner wood of wilting branches.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To combat that, find a sunscreen that can protect you from UV rays and the dehydrating effects of flying.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The Ohio State team specifically focused on shiitake and button mushrooms, cultivating the fungi before dehydrating them for long-term viability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the moments before Murphy’s goal, Jarrod Bowen had struck the right post, but the sense of hope draining from West Ham’s ground was lost on Howe’s players.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
According to the GoFundMe, which was started by Wall, Leo is facing a long recovery and currently has a tube draining saliva.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
From searing and sautéing on the stove to popping them right in the oven for easy roasting, stainless steel pans are versatile and super durable, too.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The nonstick, pre-seasoned skillet heats quickly and evenly, and excels at frying eggs, searing meats, sautéeing vegetables, baking cornbread and cobblers, and so much more.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drying. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share