Drought stress is a significant environmental challenge that affects plant growth, development, and productivity. This review discusses the impacts of drought stress on plants and various approaches to mitigate its adverse effects. Drought stress, caused by temperature dynamics, light intensity, and low rainfall, severely affects plant morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular attributes. Plants have evolved complex resistance and adaptation mechanisms, including physiological and biochemical responses, to cope with water scarcity. These mechanisms include altering stomatal conductance, leaf rolling, root-to-shoot ratio dynamics, root length increment, accumulation of compatible solutes, enhanced transpiration efficiency, osmotic and hormonal regulation, and delayed senescence. To enhance drought tolerance, breeding strategies, molecular, and genomics perspectives are crucial. Omics technologies such as metabolomics, proteomics, genomics, transcriptomics, glyomics, and phenomics are particularly valuable. Additionally, seed priming, growth hormones, osmoprotectants, silicon (Si), selenium (Se), and potassium application are effective methods for improving drought resistance. Microbial interactions, hydrogel applications, nanoparticle use, and metabolic engineering techniques also play significant roles in enhancing plant tolerance to drought stress by maintaining cell homeostasis and ameliorating water stress effects. The review highlights the importance of exploring untapped adaptation traits in plants and integrating them into genotypes to improve drought tolerance without compromising yield. Breeding technologies and innovative strategies are essential for increasing plant productivity in dry environments, thereby reducing the threat to global food security.Drought stress is a significant environmental challenge that affects plant growth, development, and productivity. This review discusses the impacts of drought stress on plants and various approaches to mitigate its adverse effects. Drought stress, caused by temperature dynamics, light intensity, and low rainfall, severely affects plant morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular attributes. Plants have evolved complex resistance and adaptation mechanisms, including physiological and biochemical responses, to cope with water scarcity. These mechanisms include altering stomatal conductance, leaf rolling, root-to-shoot ratio dynamics, root length increment, accumulation of compatible solutes, enhanced transpiration efficiency, osmotic and hormonal regulation, and delayed senescence. To enhance drought tolerance, breeding strategies, molecular, and genomics perspectives are crucial. Omics technologies such as metabolomics, proteomics, genomics, transcriptomics, glyomics, and phenomics are particularly valuable. Additionally, seed priming, growth hormones, osmoprotectants, silicon (Si), selenium (Se), and potassium application are effective methods for improving drought resistance. Microbial interactions, hydrogel applications, nanoparticle use, and metabolic engineering techniques also play significant roles in enhancing plant tolerance to drought stress by maintaining cell homeostasis and ameliorating water stress effects. The review highlights the importance of exploring untapped adaptation traits in plants and integrating them into genotypes to improve drought tolerance without compromising yield. Breeding technologies and innovative strategies are essential for increasing plant productivity in dry environments, thereby reducing the threat to global food security.