1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a dire forecast of a plunge in stock prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear
a series of dire tremors that hinted at a huge volcanic eruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
a dire need for food and medicine in the famine-stricken country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
with stock prices steadily falling, these are dire days on the trading floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dire
Vermax was in dire trouble until Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) heroically steered her Moondancer and broke the rope attached to the anchor.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
After the heady have-your-cake-and-eat-it premiership of Boris Johnson, some thought Britain was ready for hard truths and would forgive Starmer his dire inheritance.
—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
The Mexican-American War had left Mexico in dire financial straits; to pay down its debts, the Mexican government agreed to sell about 30,000 square miles of land in Arizona south of the Gila River, and in New Mexico west of the Rio Grande, for $10 million (about $400 million today).
—
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
The problem of caring for elderly nuns is particularly dire in African orders, which already are underfunded in comparison to American and European ones.
—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
After the heady have-your-cake-and-eat-it premiership of Boris Johnson, some thought Britain was ready for hard truths and would forgive Starmer his dire inheritance.
—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
The Mexican-American War had left Mexico in dire financial straits; to pay down its debts, the Mexican government agreed to sell about 30,000 square miles of land in Arizona south of the Gila River, and in New Mexico west of the Rio Grande, for $10 million (about $400 million today).
—
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
The problem of caring for elderly nuns is particularly dire in African orders, which already are underfunded in comparison to American and European ones.
—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
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Listening to most records felt shaky, ominous, like reintroducing food after a stomach bug.
Adjective
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The full extent of the casualties and damage may not be clear for many hours, but reports and videos show extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across the country as residents face a terrifying night in the streets.
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Then the assailant turns to face the camera; but inside a hoodie, the face is no face, just a terrifying horror movie mask.
Adjective
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The cultural conversation happening here is nuanced and urgent and almost entirely invisible to the average visitor.
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The result is documentary filmmaking at its most urgent and compassionate.
Adjective
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The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
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Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.
Adjective
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Disclosure Day sees Daniel (O'Connor) and Margaret (Blunt) racing to evade the sinister Wardex corporation with the ultimate goal of disclosure.
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Over the past decade, Pride Nights have morphed into something much larger, radical and sinister, in my opinion.
Adjective
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The Scottish lawyer was one of the smartest, most formidable specialists in the luxury business, with a reputation that carried internationally and a vast roll call of clients.
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With five volumes of his Noise Kandy series, to solo and collaborative albums (KISS THE RING, Kontraband, Trainspotting), the Griselda affiliate has cemented his status as one of today’s most formidable spitters.
Adjective
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Doctors suspected acute leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer that can develop and progress in a matter of weeks.
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Combining Football Password Data The problem of using football information in passwords is even more acute when combined with other data.
Adjective
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
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After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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