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
Advertisement Analysts warned that another round of tit-for-tat tariff hikes could have dire effects on global trade.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Padilla wants voters to understand how dire this is.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
With his situation becoming more dire, Bailey gave Link the phone to talk to Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), who is pregnant with their twins.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Migrants and refugees passing through the country when trying to reach Europe have also faced dire conditions.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Padilla wants voters to understand how dire this is.
—Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
With his situation becoming more dire, Bailey gave Link the phone to talk to Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), who is pregnant with their twins.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Migrants and refugees passing through the country when trying to reach Europe have also faced dire conditions.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t as ominous as, say, the GOP effort to steal the 2020 presidential election with absurd claims, bad lawyers and a mob attack on the Capitol.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There was also the terrifying clip, captured in August 2021, showcasing when a bull moose charged at a bystander.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The drop was vertiginous and terrifying, but Young sidled right up to the edge.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Streamlining communication and clearly denoting important or urgent information can go a long way in helping families navigate a sea of information.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
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And before any of that, there’s a more urgent challenge — getting food and medicine to the people in Gaza.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Meta’s entry-level roles are a welcome addition to a bleak Gen Z job market.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Things looked bleak when the Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but eventually, the Jays came roaring back.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One memorable moment comes early, when another call between Polly and her mother tilts into dread as the voice on the phone morphs into a more callous, sinister being.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Jonathan and Mina Harker return to Transylvania with their teenage daughter, Quincey — only for her to be ensnared in the castle’s sinister games.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
-
With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But in markets where the housing shortage is still acute—including many metropolitan areas in the North, Northeast, and Midwest—home prices are still growing.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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The 8-year-old boy had been battling acute promyelocytic leukemia, his family announced in July.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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As a result, his work is equal parts depressing and invigorating.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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