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

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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 of these sand columns broke as they were being removed from the molds or while cutting them into pieces after the drying procedure. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 In the millennia and centuries that followed, people developed and refined other traditional food processing methods, including grinding, baking, fermenting, drying and pressing. — Garrett M. Broad, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 The process starts with drying the shells and breaking them down into smaller pieces. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 The majority of RayZyn’s wine grape drying and processing occurs at a facility in Colusa County, with some conducted in Oregon as well. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Sorting laundry properly is essential not just for reducing drying time and energy use, but also for protecting delicate and performance fabrics, therefore saving you money by preventing damage. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026 Among the errors cited in the August 6 report is a failure to allow proper curing (drying) time for the caulk applied to the expansion joints that separate the basin’s concrete slabs. — News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2026 Once dry, the formula helps keep makeup transfer- and sweat-resistant for up to 36 hours thanks to flexible, fast-drying copolymers. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 15 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drying

Verb

Its advanced technology generates precise light pulses that cut through delicate materials such as computer chips and human tissue without scorching surrounding tissue.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Tina Snow thrives in the winter, but Megan Thee Stallion is scorching in October.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of scorching

Verb

Fighting autocracy and inequality The Ford Foundation frames its new plan as its answer to rising autocracy, widening inequality, and fading public trust.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
In Brazil, Lula also faces fading support even among parts of his base as the economic backdrop looks different from the one that accompanied his first presidency.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 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

And none of the many alternative remedies for treating lice – such as smothering them with mayonnaise or oil, dehydrating them with saline or hot air, or zapping them with an electronic comb – have proven to be effective.

— Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Antihistamines have a general dehydrating effect that also reduces tear production.

— Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of dehydrating

Verb

There are years of desire, wilting in silence, or the frenzied rhythm of regret.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of wilting

Verb

That means removing plants, mud and debris from boats, trailers and equipment; draining water from compartments; and allowing equipment to dry completely.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Secretly draining shared savings or hiding major debt are obvious betrayals.

— Jenna Ryu, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of draining

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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Style

“Drying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drying. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drying

verb

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