dry up

verb

dried up; drying up; dries up

transitive verb

: to cut off the supply of

intransitive verb

1
: to disappear as if by evaporation, draining, or cutting off of a source of supply
2
: to wither or die through gradual loss of vitality
3
: to stop talking

Examples of dry up in a Sentence

sick of her constant complaining, he angrily told her to dry up
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If the lake were to completely dry up there would be a horror to behold. Dennis Hinkamp, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025 The outreach doesn’t need to pattern itself after past cringe but must start carrying itself like its surrounding ecosystems could dry up with baffling speed and cruelty. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025 With the election in the rearview, that ad money is drying up. Alex Cranz, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025 Another source that could dry up is California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Program, or HHAP. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dry up 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry up was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dry up

Cite this Entry

“Dry up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20up. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dry up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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