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
Fourth, the dire forecasts all assume no change in behavior of consumers, producers, or policy-makers in exporting and importing nations.
—
George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Designations are granted for terms of six, 12 or 18 months, and extensions can be granted so long as conditions remain dire.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
And in a more dire scenario where the Supreme Court takes another six months or so to rule and goes against the tariffs, then the deficit would get close to 8% of GDP, Ryan warned.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
And when its leader decides to enlist, things get even more dire.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Designations are granted for terms of six, 12 or 18 months, and extensions can be granted so long as conditions remain dire.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
And in a more dire scenario where the Supreme Court takes another six months or so to rule and goes against the tariffs, then the deficit would get close to 8% of GDP, Ryan warned.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
And when its leader decides to enlist, things get even more dire.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Headlines about Social Security are equally ominous.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The case is interrupted as Lorraine is heavily pregnant with Judy and is induced into giving birth after a terrifying vision.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The series centers around a deep-space research vessel crash-lands on Earth, bringing with it mysterious and terrifying life forms, such as the Xenomorph.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
TeamSmile also launched a new pilot program to deliver essential dental care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), highlighting the urgent need for accessible treatment for these kids.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This means distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, eliminating unnecessary metrics and communications, clarifying policies, and setting clear expectations.—
Kotter,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yes, there are good reasons to question NASA's long-term plans for the Artemis lunar program—the woeful cost of the Space Launch System rocket, the complexity of new commercial landers, and a bleak budget outlook.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
That's rather bleak, while Charlie Sheen's life has just been bonkers.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Haunted Carwash was the sinister concoction of spooky enthusiasts Long Vo and Veronica Young of Huntington Beach.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 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,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On paper, the American team looked formidable, boasting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other stars.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Some people with antiphospholipid syndrome—a condition associated with the formation of blood clots—can experience chorea (involuntary muscle movements) or acute changes in cognition (one of my patients was diagnosed after becoming markedly confused).—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The first stage, the acute phase, happens shortly after the infection, and the second stage, the chronic phase, occurs over a longer period of time.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His relentless prepackaged positivity — even in the wake of depressing game day results — turned him into something of a punch line.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The depressing effect of the seasonality is somewhat offset by the ‘5’ effect.—
Bill Sarubbi,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share