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
When our unused fields are high and dry and the neighbors next to them are underwater, that’s a problem.
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Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 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
Chris Brown appeared less than pleased after a set malfunction during his New Jersey concert left him hanging high and dry… literally.
—EW.com, 13 June 2024
How much longer will the Navy be left high and dry?
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for high and dry 
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 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
Chris Brown appeared less than pleased after a set malfunction during his New Jersey concert left him hanging high and dry… literally.
—EW.com, 13 June 2024
How much longer will the Navy be left high and dry?
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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While Chris Smith lay helpless, authorities say Tarr was plotting to silence him forever.Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
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This creates a helpless but highly effective kind of suspense, as Iris must rely on her tormentor to mess up, at least until her limbs start to respond again.Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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When the technology is limited to medical applications, such as Chang’s device that helps paralyzed people regain the ability to communicate, those applications are covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
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My left leg is, uh, partially paralyzed from my hip to my knee, then from my knee to my toes, completely paralyzed, so if there's any neurosurgeons out there … any researchers out there, please get a hold of me.Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Lindsey, the initial lead prosecutor on the Morphew case, testified against Stanley during a two-week disciplinary hearing in June, portraying her as an incompetent and disengaged leader.Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
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In this light The Favourite, a satire about an incompetent female ruler, is greeted very differently.Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Nov. 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 24 Nov. 2024.
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