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
But unions pushed back, warning employees that there was no precedent for such a move and that people who accepted it could be left high and dry.
—
Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
The Cowboys have been left high and dry after mismanaging their RB room, all while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continue to try to make ends meet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
Kelly left Notre Dame high and dry.
—Mike D. Sykes, For The Win, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
The Cowboys have been left high and dry after mismanaging their RB room, all while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continue to try to make ends meet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
Kelly left Notre Dame high and dry.
—Mike D. Sykes, For The Win, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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But most unforgettable are the fantastic driving sequences and the almost casually riveting performances — with James Taylor making for a perfectly intense (and surprisingly charismatic) lead, an ideal foil for the garrulous, slightly helpless Oates.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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The emotional emptiness can feel unbearable, and the practical demands only add to the turmoil, often leaving the surviving spouse feeling lost and helpless.—
David Kudla,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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In the past, contestants have admitted to experiencing a wide range of emotions in this particularly vulnerable moment: overwhelmed, nervous, paralyzed, and yeah, even terrified.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
13 June 2025
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Morgan learned that her husband was effectively paralyzed and unable to speak.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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The inference here is that women’s speech is coded as weak and men’s, the direct opposite.—
Megan C. Reynolds,
Time,
27 June 2025
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Total textile and apparel exports declined from $44.4 billion in fiscal year 2022 to $35.8 billion in fiscal year 2024 (ending March 31), due to weak global demand and elevated production costs.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Pop culture has abetted this disheartening pattern, consistently depicting fathers as incompetent ...—
Gregory M. Collins,
National Review,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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