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
So instead of having the option for buying a PS5 Pro with or without a disc drive (the practice Sony started with the very first PS5 at launch), you’re only left high and dry to get your own.
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Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Sep. 2024
Although today’s furry house rulers can enjoy fishy feasts while staying high and dry, since time immemorial, wild cats have apparently been willing to get their paws wet to snag some tasty treats.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2024
Sheryl Crow didn't mean to leave her fans high and dry in Atlanta.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024
European countries, fearing Chinese economic retaliation, could end up leaving Washington high and dry, fracturing the transatlantic alliance in the process.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for high and dry 
Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Sep. 2024
Although today’s furry house rulers can enjoy fishy feasts while staying high and dry, since time immemorial, wild cats have apparently been willing to get their paws wet to snag some tasty treats.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2024
Sheryl Crow didn't mean to leave her fans high and dry in Atlanta.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024
European countries, fearing Chinese economic retaliation, could end up leaving Washington high and dry, fracturing the transatlantic alliance in the process.
—Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
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With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Despite the prime minister’s assurances, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a U.N. official said the government remains paralyzed.Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
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There was the woman who came to every meeting combative and quick-tempered (fight), the one who broke down in tears at every one-on-one and eventually took extended leave (flight), and the one who seemed paralyzed by the sheer volume of work (freeze).Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Area roads could become dangerously slick Monday morning as a weak system is expected to bring freezing rain overnight, according to the National Weather Service.Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
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Houston will be a weaker team in 2025, but one Brown still believes can capture an American League West championship.Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Skakel lobbied for a retrial on various grounds over the years but was denied until 2013, when a Connecticut judge upheld his assertion that his previous defense had been incompetent.Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
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These are usually people with severe mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders or developmental disabilities who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial.Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near high and dry
Cite this Entry
“High and dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high%20and%20dry. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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