Synonyms for

Drought

Verb / draʊt / Another word for drought — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water

Synonyms & similar words

drouth aridity deficiency lack scarcity shortage want insufficiency inadequacy paucity famine dearth rainlessness parchment desiccation dehydration thirst

Synonyms by register

Formal

aridity dryness scarcity

Informal

dry spell lack of rain

Literary

parch thirst

Antonyms

deluge flood inundation plenty abundance wetness rain

Common collocations

  • severe drought
  • prolonged drought
  • water drought
  • economic drought
  • drought conditions
  • drought relief
  • drought-stricken

Word family

noun drought
verb drought

Usage note

While 'drought' primarily refers to a lack of rainfall, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a scarcity of something else, such as 'an economic drought'.

Example sentences

  1. The drought in California has caused a water shortage.
  2. The plants in the garden are suffering from the drought.
  3. The farmers are worried about the effects of the drought on their crops.
  4. The animals in the desert have adapted to survive in a drought.
  5. The government has declared a state of emergency due to the drought.

Quotes

  • A drought doesn't have to be declared to be a disaster.
  • A drought is upon my soul.
  • A drought is a prolonged absence of something specified.

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