as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
the inadequate supplies of vaccine left many people high and dry when the flu season arrived
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Recent Examples of high and dry
Max Monks was left high and dry when 16 Lots Brewing Co. shuttered its locations in Mason and Newport late last year.
—
Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Astronomers say the location is both high and dry enough to provide clear skies for observing the universe.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 June 2025
All these groups and more will be left high and dry, rolling the dice with every major decision.
—Kristin Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
Users across social media — including, notably, kpop stans, who command a large and organized following online — implored their followers to get involved, reserving tickets to the rally with the intent of leaving the stadium open and the president high and dry.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Astronomers say the location is both high and dry enough to provide clear skies for observing the universe.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 June 2025
All these groups and more will be left high and dry, rolling the dice with every major decision.
—Kristin Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
Users across social media — including, notably, kpop stans, who command a large and organized following online — implored their followers to get involved, reserving tickets to the rally with the intent of leaving the stadium open and the president high and dry.
—Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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This is obvious enough in the contrast between the aggressive takedown in humor and the helpless surrender in tears.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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The series also starred Portia de Rossi as the family's layabout daughter, Lindsay; David Cross as her aspiring actor husband, Tobias; Alia Shawkat as their teen daughter, Maeby; Jessica Walter as the family's elitist matriarch, Lucille; and Tony Hale as the dynasty's helpless youngest son, Buster.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While many workers consider job changes, those who approach transitions strategically have a significant advantage over those who act impulsively or remain paralyzed by uncertainty.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Her son was left paralyzed from the mid-chest down, had to have his left leg amputated at the knee and two thirds of his bowel removed — and almost a month later, is still in the hospital, where he is intubated and fighting an infection.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Kleptocratic governments are not weak or failing, Chayes argues in this paradigm-shifting 2015 book.—
Zephyr Teachout,
The Atlantic,
22 Sep. 2025
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The plan to tap geothermal energy answered the key question of power provision, getting around Africa’s chronically weak grids with the green, baseload electricity required for digital infrastructure.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But two recent reports from mental health professionals found that Rudd remains mentally incompetent, Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Heile said in court.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Sep. 2025
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The man seemed to think he was surrounded by incompetent, unintelligent, wastes of space.—
Josh Davis,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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