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
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
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Scenes of terror and military might flash on the screen throughout the teaser, overlayed with an ominous monologue about the end times.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 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
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Conversations about gun violence in Chicago can no longer focus solely on homicide and must be expanded to also integrate urgent matters of suicide prevention.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being and create a more balanced, sustainable work culture.—
Clare Miller,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The one constant is the unhappy couple’s bleak surroundings.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Normally, that would be a recipe for some edge-of-your-seat action, although Ben Hopkins’ script makes clear early on that the bomb is just a distraction, while an even more sinister plot is ticking within the blast radius.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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However, when Jess senses something sinister and then mysteriously disappears, Frida must uncover the truth before meeting the same fate.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yes, this Jaguars pass rush is formidable; Josh Hines-Allen is no joke.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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With the Chiefs appearing more vulnerable in a season coming off a Super Bowl trouncing, Buffalo—which opens its 2025 campaign Sunday night at home against another formidable foe, the Baltimore Ravens—is poised for a breakthrough.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
-
Compelling, sure, but more depressing than funny.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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The news is depressing, and now the Tribune is ignoring what is, for those who are not sports fans, their leading form of entertainment.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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