dire

adjective

ˈdī(-ə)r How to pronounce dire (audio)
Definition of direnext
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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dire Organizational areas of need The Canucks have a lot of NHL players already locked in, and of course, there are no dire needs for a team absent any variety of win-now pressure. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 July 2026 According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes surgical debridement, draining fluid from blisters, and, in more dire cases, amputation of affected limbs. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 As is common with Enola Holmes films, zippy flashbacks and kicky montages illuminate what led up to all of this, but there’s an energy missing here, as the film races to get back into the present Maltese moment, which feels dire indeed. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 From four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to one year with 100 catches to a Pro Bowl appearance, Lockett brings a similar leadership acumen to a team in dire need of it. — Miami Herald, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
  1. ominous
  2. terrifying
  3. urgent
  4. bleak
  5. sinister
  6. formidable
  7. acute
  8. depressing
Adjective
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • Instead, Mike Maignan got a confidence boost, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue combined for France’s fourth, and the favourites look more ominous than ever.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • That year, the Potomac River turned violent, as intense, heavy rains pushed the water to a terrifying, near-record flood level of 60,000 cubic feet per second.
    — Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Just like waiting for the release of the bull, the ride vehicle will pause for three seconds before a terrifying 285-foot drop.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • The industry conversation around funding reform is urgent precisely because this generation deserves a system that matches their ambition and offers them a future.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Dorothea centers on a Sacramento woman (Davis) who ran a boarding house for the less fortunate in the 1980s, but her seemingly benevolent actions belied her sinister motives.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026
  • The score drips with a sinister ostinato as the rats scurry into every corner of her castle.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • England faces a formidable challenge against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup knockout round, playing at Estadio Azteca, 7,220 feet above sea level.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • However, there is arguably no matchup currently more daunting than a game against this formidable France side.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Reduction In High-Cost, Acute Utilization When therapy is ineffective or inaccessible, families often turn to more acute and costly services, like emergency departments, inpatient behavioral health settings or crisis interventions.
    — Jeff Beck, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Maxton Bowman, 2, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after months of unexplained symptoms.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
  • Laughter and jokes are banned, and writing is presented as arduous and faintly depressing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of depressing

Browse Nearby Words

diptychs
dire
direct
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Cite this Entry

“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dire for Spanish Speakers

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