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
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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
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Recent Examples of dire
What holds the tax system together isn’t the omnipotence of the auditor, but the shadow of the audit—the perception that cheating is risky and noncompliance has dire consequences.
—
Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The plea for mercy is dire: arms are held up to ward off a blow.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
There are forecasts of tough economic times ahead, from dire budget cuts from Washington to many warnings of recession.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
For cities across the West Coast, the crisis has grown beyond our most dire predictions.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The plea for mercy is dire: arms are held up to ward off a blow.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
There are forecasts of tough economic times ahead, from dire budget cuts from Washington to many warnings of recession.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
For cities across the West Coast, the crisis has grown beyond our most dire predictions.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
-
The signs in Iran are ominous—and the pleas from Iranian Jewish elders may now go unheard.—
Roya Hakakian,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The terrifying moment that passengers were made to put on oxygen masks was captured on video.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
At least four foreign nationals have tried within the last month to unlawfully enter the U.S. through the San Ysidro Port of Entry using ambulances as cover and posing as patients in need of urgent medical attention, according to court documents in four federal criminal cases.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
The National Weather Service sent urgent alerts about potentially life-threatening danger hours in advance of the flash floods, leaving time to notify and try to evacuate people in harm’s way.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some traders said the numbers were less severe than analysts' bleak forecasts.—
Sabrina Valle,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
-
No one is as funny and as bleak in the same sentence, or maybe even the same word.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
-
He’s then forced to compete in a sinister game of hide-and-seek, where even more players are eliminated.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
In short, because the Ukrainians have put up a formidable defense.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 July 2025
-
Central and undeniable, beautiful and formidable, and oftentimes frustrating.—
Lidija Hilje
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since then, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to Reuters, and millions are suffering from acute malnutrition, starvation and illness.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
The number of children admitted for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most deadly form of malnutrition, rose by 50 percent from April to May.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
-
But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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