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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More generally, some people are concerned that becoming too reliant on AI for menial and routine tasks could lead to us becoming over-reliant and helpless, perhaps even to the detriment of human problem-solving or decision-making ability.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Asking for help isn’t the same as being helpless, Pryor noted.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
11 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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Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 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 19 Apr. 2025.
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