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
How much longer will the Navy be left high and dry?
—
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
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
The duo made the remarks in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday when asked about claims from President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that the astronauts were left high and dry by the prior administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
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
The duo made the remarks in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday when asked about claims from President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that the astronauts were left high and dry by the prior administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
But her wife ended up leaving her and left her high and dry.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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Students who feel lost, parents who feel helpless and households filled with tension rather than encouragement.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
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Undermine growth and development so people feel stuck and helpless.—
Csaba Toth,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Allen survived but was left permanently paralyzed, according to police.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
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According to the release, any savings from ending this type of care will go to supporting paralyzed veterans and amputees.—
Jaden Amos,
Axios,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In contrast, the founders of the United States, fearful of tyranny, created a weak federal government that could barely impose taxes, let alone establish a national theater.—
Joanna Dee Das,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
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Williams nails the paradox at the center of the show: As Molly’s body grows weaker, her self-possession grows stronger.—
Margaret Lyons,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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