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
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Recent Examples of dire
Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: San Diego’s roads are in dire condition after years of deferred maintenance; drastically cutting the road-repair budget now would be a serious mistake.
—
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
In early March, the agency estimated that the cuts would have dire consequences, including 1 million children with severe acute malnutrition going untreated and up to 166,000 additional deaths from malaria.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Napoleon Bonaparte first said it, but over time, the words evolved, but the meaning remained the same: find humor in the most dire circumstances to survive.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
My understanding of what would happen during the past year and a half is that Israel would clamp down on aid and then there would be some sort of international pressure, or the humanitarian situation would get increasingly dire.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
In early March, the agency estimated that the cuts would have dire consequences, including 1 million children with severe acute malnutrition going untreated and up to 166,000 additional deaths from malaria.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Napoleon Bonaparte first said it, but over time, the words evolved, but the meaning remained the same: find humor in the most dire circumstances to survive.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
My understanding of what would happen during the past year and a half is that Israel would clamp down on aid and then there would be some sort of international pressure, or the humanitarian situation would get increasingly dire.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
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Against this ominous backdrop, a small group of scientists is scrambling to preserve the ability to know how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere.—
Eric Morgan,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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The family eventually crosses paths with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), his sheriff (Colin Hanks) and a terrifying crime boss (Sharon Stone) before chaos ensues.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The additional terrifying factor was that the plane had only three minutes of fuel left — and Cruise had still not gotten up.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Advocates and outreach workers gathered at The Stoop Collaborative Monday to celebrate its opening and underscore the urgent needs of the region’s homeless population.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
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And yet, even in the face of these urgent challenges, there are those who still claim that the true purpose of college is something more abstract: the cultivation of character, the shaping of citizens, the appreciation of beauty and debate.—
Scott Pulsipher,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
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The wildest thing about these bleak anti-meet cutes is that no one does this on purpose.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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While investigating the case of a teenage girl left for dead in the woods, Luminița (34), a small-town police officer, risks being swallowed into a dark, sinister world, where the unlawful meets the occult.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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The real-life School of Rock founder’s former students tell a more sinister story By Ezra Marcus Hats Off! Daniel Berulis, a cyber-security expert and employee of the National Labor Relations Board.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The renowned American sculptor was more accessible at a smaller scale with a formidable presence at TEFAF New York.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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Hewitt had formidable ammunition in waging his wars.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The sudden heat spike, which was made more likely by the decades-long failure to stop burning fossil fuels, creates an acute danger for a populace not yet acclimatized to summer heat.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
14 May 2025
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Nearly 71,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five are expected between April 2025 and March 2026, the report said.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Chernow devotes a hefty portion of his 1,039 pages (excluding notes) to Twain’s personal tribulations, a depressing series of bungles and calamities starting in the author’s middle age.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
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The lack of business on Sunday and Monday nights could be especially depressing.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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