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Definitions

run dry

VERB
dissipate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dispel disperse dissolve evaporate spread vanish
STRONG
evanesce scatter
WEAK
drive away melt away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appear assemble collect garner gather
WEAK
accumulate hoard save
VERB
peter out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate die out ebb evaporate fade recede tail away tail off taper off wane
WEAK
come to nothing die down diminish drain dry up fail give out lessen run low run out slack off stop
Antonyms
STRONGEST
increase rise
WEAK
grow
VERB
waste
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blow consume deplete dissipate divert drain exhaust lavish lose misuse squander undermine
STRONG
atrophy corrode crumble debilitate decay decline decrease disable disappear droop ebb emaciate empty enfeeble fade gnaw misapply perish sap sink splurge thin wane wear wilt wither
WEAK
be of no avail burn up eat away fritter away frivol away gamble away go to waste misemploy pour down the drain run through throw away trifle away wear out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accumulate collect fill gather hoard maintain save starve succeed
STRONG
aid assist bloom build develop grow help improve increase raise rise strengthen
WEAK
create preserve

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.

Industry group Fuels for Ireland said 100 petrol retailers have run dry, mainly in the west of Ireland, after customers started panic buying.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Let the SPR run dry, perhaps by gradually selling forward contracts on its output.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Barring congressional action, the Social Security retirement fund is set to run dry in 2033.

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

A study by Dr David Mansfield and satellite data firm Alcis warns that some regions could run dry within five to ten years, endangering millions of livelihoods.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2025

Drought conditions that had made their well run dry.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz