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
The only instance in his coaching career was in 2018 when LeBron James left the Cavaliers high and dry with a rotation that nobody could win with.
—
Shane Young, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
A lot of members of boy bands — and there are a lot of them — had managers who left them high and dry.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
When our unused fields are high and dry and the neighbors next to them are underwater, that’s a problem.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2024
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.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for high and dry 
Shane Young, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
A lot of members of boy bands — and there are a lot of them — had managers who left them high and dry.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
When our unused fields are high and dry and the neighbors next to them are underwater, that’s a problem.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2024
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.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for high and dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high and dry
Adjective
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Just as the doctor who is no longer compassionate or caring towards his patients should no longer be a doctor—maybe the hopeless, helpless, resigned, and, worst of all, silent, healthcare leader who no longer feels change is his or her responsibility and personal mandate should step away.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Toward the end of the first quarter, Barkley made his presence known with a dashing run through a seemingly helpless Rams defense for a 62-yard touchdown to put the Eagles back on top 13-7.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After October 7th, people were shocked and stunned and paralyzed and afraid of rockets and trying to figure out where their dead bodies were and whether their kids were dead or captive.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2025
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The inspirational documentary chronicles the actor's storied rise but mainly focuses on his later life and work championing people with disabilities and spinal-cord injuries after a horse-riding accident left him paralyzed.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The team continues to play great with a different weak spot each season, so maybe that’s part of the excitement and drama of being a fan of the franchise now. · 5h 1m ago Thanks Chandler, good stuff as always.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Its economy is already facing a deepening malaise, brought on by a property crisis, mounting government debt and weak consumer spending.—
David Pierson,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2025
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The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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 27 Jan. 2025.
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