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
The American people overwhelmingly rate Social Security as the most important program in our country and oppose cuts that would leave our seniors high and dry.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 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
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
Emerging research has found that historically, high and dry parts of the Everglades — like pine rocklands — are in fact designed to burn around every four years.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 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
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
Emerging research has found that historically, high and dry parts of the Everglades — like pine rocklands — are in fact designed to burn around every four years.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
-
These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
She was resigned to her fate, helpless with indignation.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition, the left side of his face became paralyzed.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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In August, Elon Musk’s Neuralink expanded to the UK with a clinical study testing its brain chip to help paralyzed patients control devices through thought.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Relief on that levy—which stacks on top of Liberation Day tariffs—could be a boon for the Asian nation at a time when domestic demand is weak.—
Bloomberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
There, interactions between streams of liquid iron generate a magnetic field one quintillion times more powerful than that of an ordinary lab magnet (but thousands of times weaker than the Sun’s).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
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Lauren was also charged with misdemeanor battery and theft in June 2020, per online court records reviewed by PEOPLE; that case was discharged after she was found incompetent to stand trial.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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