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Synonyms

dry out

British  

verb

  1. to make or become dry

  2. to undergo or cause to undergo treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dry out Idioms  
  1. Undergo a cure for alcoholism, as in After years of constant drinking, he realized that he needed to dry out. [1960s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"Foundations are sometimes built on peat bogs: if these dry out, they shrink, and cracks can appear in buildings," she said.

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

The new technology is inspired by resurrection plants, which dry out and appear dead during a drought, before springing back to life when it rains.

From BBC Aug. 5, 2026

The weather has begun to dry out the landscape and in some parts of the state fueled wildfires.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 24, 2026

"When the ferns dry out, the thick mats act as the ideal fuel to trigger massive wildfires," Van de Schootbrugge explains.

From Science Daily Jul. 22, 2026

I let Peeta doze off while his clothes dry out, but by late afternoon, I don't dare wait any longer.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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