dry 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdrī How to pronounce dry (audio)
Definition of drynext
1
as in thirsty
marked by little or no precipitation or humidity the dry climate of the American Southwest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a very dry topic for a lecture at a museum of natural history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others a dry temperament that suited him well in a desk job that required no interaction with the customers

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dry

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to scorch
to make dry the wind quickly dried their clothes

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2
as in to fade
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness his creative talents were just drying on the vine in that small, provincial town

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dry

3 of 3

noun

as in prohibitionist

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dry
Adjective
The problem is that Europe, the fastest-warming continent, is hotter and drier than ever. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Using mayonnaise in the filling—and to grease the pan—instead of traditional schmaltz or olive oil helps ensure the kugel bakes off moist, rich, and crisp—never dry or greasy. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Finally, rinse your entire shower with warm water and dry the surfaces with a new towel to prevent water spots. — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 31 Aug. 2026 Air drying removes moisture and concentrates the herb’s flavor. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dry
  1. thirsty
  2. boring
  3. detached
  4. scorch
  5. fade
  6. prohibitionist
  7. arid
  8. slow
Adjective
  • If anyone in your party is thirsty, the Joe Klass Water Stop is nearby.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Add the cost of tires, consumables, a thirsty engine, and the fact that cars are all so ludicrously expensive to begin with these days, and soon the whole thing starts to look unsustainable.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of thirsty
Adjective
  • Indeed, Hank hurts lots of people in this action-comedy that doesn’t prove boring for a second but has trouble managing its disparate tones.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ma brings a happy zeal — and an artist’s eye for detail — to creating a sense of wonder, fantasy and futuristic freedom in a world limited by boring, rational constraints.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • The former Feyenoord boss stood accused of being too detached from the local fanbase.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Supervisors also supported language that would allow detached guest houses to be used as vacation rentals.
    — Haley Parsley August 20, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of detached
Verb
  • During the 2016 Chimney Fire, which scorched more than 46,000 acres in the Santa Lucia Range, one of the family’s favorite manzanita trees burned black.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Dangerous heat that has scorched the Southwest for days is now spreading to the nation's midsection.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • As his memories begin to fade, he's left in a panic, not wanting to lose everything.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • It was designed to give Hawthorne’s fading downtown a boost with three major department stores — JCPenney in addition to the Broadway and Montgomery Ward — as well as numerous shops and a movie theater.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fade
Noun
  • Build Guardrails Before You Press Record Walker’s advice is pragmatic, not prohibitionist.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Despite chang’s antiquity, Tibetans have their share of teetotalers and prohibitionists.
    — Geoff Childs, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
Definition of prohibitionist
Adjective
  • Our team determined that lakes persisted for millions of years before the climate became arid and sand dunes overtook the lakes, although groundwater occasionally breached the surface to produce streams that wove among the dunes.
    — Ashwin R. Vasavada, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Since 2022, Dava has turned to hydroponic farming in a plot of land in Al Kharj, an arid area with nutrient-rich soil known for its date palms.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of arid
Adjective
  • Reseeding helps block weed growth, repel lawn diseases, slow soil erosion, and strengthen growth in bare patches.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Critical thinking is based on the need for a deliberate, slow, self-regulatory pause.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow

Phrases Containing dry

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druthers
dry
dryad
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Cite this Entry

“Dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dry. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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